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When the answer to the potty is no

A short cartoon where a no is heard and the potty can wait, 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 girl with her arms crossed stands beside a small potty while her mum crouches and points to a sunny spot by the window, a small dog lies on the rug, and a glowing firefly lights the spot from the windowsill.
Illustration, made with AI

Let's imagine

Example, made with AI

Mia (3) looks at her potty and shakes her head. "No potty." Her mum crouches beside her. "You're saying no. I hear you." She doesn't ask again. "Where would be a good place for the potty to wait?" Mia points to the sunny spot by the window. They move it together. Mia pats the lid. "Hello, potty. Not today." Mum smiles. "Okay. Not today." Biscuit lies down beside it.

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 says no, in plain words, and her mum says she hears it.
  • Mum doesn't ask again. She asks where the potty could wait.
  • Mia picks the sunny spot, and they move the potty together.
  • Mia says "Not today," and Mum says it back.
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 say to her potty?
  2. What did Mum say? What did Mia choose?
  3. Where would you like our potty to wait? You can show me, or skip it today.

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

What a cartoon can and can't do

  • Watch together on a calm day, never in the middle of a no.
  • A cartoon can't set the pace for the potty. Wait for your child.
  • 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.