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Zubby, home

When the potty is harder after a new baby

A short cartoon about needing help again, with a grown-up close, 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 sits close to his mum on a rug in the lamplight beside a small potty, a small dog brings a picture book, a baby's cot is visible in the next room, and a glowing firefly glows like a night light.
Illustration, made with AI

Let's imagine

Example, made with AI

Since the baby came home, Leo (4) needs help with the potty again. "Stay with me," he says. His mum puts the potty back in its familiar spot by the lamp. Biscuit brings their usual book. The baby sleeps in the next room. They sit close together. "You can ask me for help," says Mum. Leo nods. Nobody says who is big and who is little. Mum turns to the first page.

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 for help in plain words: "Stay with me."
  • Mum puts the potty in its familiar spot, and Biscuit brings the usual book.
  • Mum tells him he can ask for help. Nobody compares Leo with the baby.
  • The story ends with a book and Mum close by.
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 Mum for?
  2. What did Mum say? What did Biscuit bring?
  3. What would you like us to read or do together, just you and me? You choose, or we can skip it.

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

What a cartoon can and can't do

  • Research on preparing children for changes at home is thin. This story is one way to start the talk.
  • 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.
  • Zubby is a family storytelling tool, not a medical, therapeutic or educational treatment. Zubby cartoons have not been tested in studies.