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When goodbye at the preschool door is hard

A short cartoon about a goodbye at the door, 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 in a yellow raincoat holds her dad's hand at a preschool door while her teacher kneels with two wooden blocks, and a glowing firefly sets the last block on a small bridge.
Illustration, made with AI

Let's imagine

Example, made with AI

Mia (3) holds Dad's hand tight at the preschool door. "I want to stay with you," she says. "I know," says Dad. "I'll be at this door at the end of the day." Her teacher kneels and holds out two wooden blocks. "Shall we build by the window?" Mia takes one block, then the other. She waves at the door, and Dad waves back. Mia builds a little bridge. At the end of the day, Dad is at the door. "Here's our bridge," says Mia.

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 she wants to stay with Dad, and Dad says he knows.
  • Dad tells her one honest, concrete thing: he will be at this door at the end of the day.
  • Her teacher offers two blocks, and Mia takes them at her own pace.
  • Dad is at the door when he said he would be. Nobody is rushed in this example.
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 Dad at the door? What did Dad say back?
  2. What did her teacher hold out? What did Mia build?
  3. At the door, would you like a wave, a hug, or a goodbye of your own? You choose.

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

What a cartoon can and can't do

  • A cartoon can't do the goodbye for you. It can give you something to talk about before the door.
  • Your child's teachers know how mornings go at the door. Ask them anything about the day.
  • 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.