Skip to content
Zubby, home

When hitting is aimed at you

A short cartoon about a "no" and the words for being angry, starring your child. Watch it together on a calm day, 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 girl with a scrunched face lifts one hand halfway while her mum kneels at her eye level with an open palm, and a glowing firefly presses its fists to its belly to show what angry feels like.
Illustration, made with AI

Let's imagine

Example, made with AI

Mia (4) asks for another biscuit after lunch. "Not now," says Mum. Mia's face goes red, and her hand lifts to hit. Mum holds it gently. "I won't let you hit me. I'm here." Mia's face scrunches. "You can say, I'm really angry." Mia says it, loudly. Mum nods. "I hear you. The answer is still no." Mia leans against Mum's shoulder.

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:

  • Mia is cross at "not now", and her hand lifts.
  • Mum holds her hand gently and says plainly that she won't let Mia hit her.
  • Mum offers words for the anger, and Mia says them out loud.
  • Mum's answer stays the same, and so does her place beside Mia. Nobody is blamed.
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 Mia ask for? What did Mum say?
  2. What did Mum do when Mia's hand lifted? What words did Mia use?
  3. When you feel really angry, what words or actions would you like to use? You can tell me or show me.

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

What a cartoon can and can't do

  • Safety comes first. A cartoon can't keep anyone from getting hurt. The grown-ups nearby do that.
  • It is hard when the hit is aimed at you. This cartoon is for a calm day, not for the middle of a hard moment.
  • This cartoon doesn't say why a child hits or what it means.
  • 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.