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When the potty works at home but not away

A short cartoon about a new bathroom and a grown-up sitting close, starring your child. Watch it together at a calm time, 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.

Illustration, made with AI: a girl stands in the doorway of an old-fashioned bathroom at her grandpa's house while he sits on a stool outside the door, and a glowing firefly points at a fish-shaped towel hook.
Illustration, made with AI

Let's imagine

Example, made with AI

Amara (5) is visiting Grandpa. The bathroom is new to her, and she pauses in the doorway. "Where's the toilet here?" Grandpa shows her, then spots a towel hook shaped like a fish. "Look who lives here." Amara looks all around the room. "Stay with me." Grandpa sits on a stool by the open door and hums a quiet tune. Amara counts the fish on the tiles. She takes her time.

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:

  • Amara pauses and asks where things are in the new bathroom.
  • Grandpa shows her, then points out one friendly thing to look at.
  • Amara asks him to stay with her, and he does.
  • Nobody hurries. Amara takes her time.

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 was new in Grandpa's bathroom?
  2. What did Amara ask Grandpa? What did he do?
  3. In a new place, what would you like to do first: look around, ask me something, or have me close? You choose.

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

What a cartoon can and can't do

  • Wait for your child. A cartoon can't make a new place feel familiar.
  • 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.