When everything gets a no
A short cartoon about a lot of no's and two small choices, starring your child. Watch it together on a calm day, then talk.
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.
Let's imagine
Example, made with AI
Sam (4) says no to the socks. No to the shoes. No to the coat. He sits on the bottom stair and shakes his head. Dad kneels beside him. "No hurry. That's a lot of no's." He holds up a red hat and a yellow one. "Which one would you like?" Sam peeks, then thinks. He points to the yellow hat. "That one," he says. Dad smiles and sets the red hat down.
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:
- Sam says no, and the story lets him say it.
- Dad gets down to his level and says there is no hurry.
- He holds up two small choices, and Sam picks one.
- The rest can wait. Nobody is told off.
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.
- What did Sam say no to? What did Dad say?
- What did Dad hold up? What did Sam choose?
- What would you like to choose today? You can pick, or skip it.
Use the ones that feel right. Skip any you like.
What a cartoon can and can't do
- A cartoon can't turn a no into a yes. In this example, the choice is Sam's.
- 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 behavior, talk to your child's doctor, nurse or teacher.