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When your child asks when you'll be back

A short cartoon about three little pictures and an honest answer, starring your child. Watch it together at a calm time, then talk.

Try a story beginning

An example story beginning for this moment. It is not a cartoon of your own story.

Cartoons are made with AI. You preview each one before your child sees it. Automatic checks can miss things.

Illustration, made with AI: a boy at a nursery table traces the last of three crayon pictures while his teacher sits beside him, and a glowing firefly points to the third picture.
Illustration, made with AI

Let's imagine

Example, made with AI

Leo (4) sits by the window at nursery with his coat still on. "When will Mum come back?" he asks his teacher. "After rest time," she says. She takes a sheet of paper and draws three pictures: blocks, a pillow, and a door with a hug. "First blocks. Then rest. Then Mum." Leo traces the last picture with one finger. Later, after rest time, Mum steps through the door. "There's our third picture," says Leo, and he opens his arms.

The characters in this example are made up. Your child can be the hero, with or without a photo.

What happens in the story

In the example above:

  • Leo asks plainly when Mum will come back.
  • His teacher answers with something he can see: after rest time.
  • She draws three pictures, so the order of the day is on paper.
  • Mum comes back after rest time, as the third picture said.
Try a story beginning

Talk-after card

Here are three gentle questions to talk about after this example. Best watched together, then followed by a chat or a game.

  1. What did Leo ask his teacher? What did she answer?
  2. What were the three pictures?
  3. If you could draw three pictures for your day, what would they be? You can tell me, draw them, or skip it.

Use the ones that feel right. Skip any you like.

What a cartoon can and can't do

  • A drawing can't promise a pick-up time. Say only what is true for your day.
  • Your child's teachers can tell you what the day looks like. Ask them for the order of it.
  • Every family has its own pace.
  • Each Zubby cartoon is made to be talked about together. It can't do the work of routine, patience or your child's doctor.
  • If you are worried about your child's sleep, eating, fears or behaviour, talk to your child's doctor, nurse or teacher.