When It's Hard to Stop

My name is {{childName}}. Sometimes I am doing something really fun, like playing a game, watching a show, or building something. When it is fun, I want to keep going. This is my story about stopping a fun activity, even when I don't want it to end.

All activities end sometime. The fun does not disappear — it just pauses, and I can often come back to it later. There are usually other things waiting in my day, like dinner, bath time, or sleep. Stopping one thing makes room for the next thing.

Often, a grown-up gives me a warning before it is time to stop, like 'five more minutes.' The warning helps my brain get ready. When I know the end is coming, the stop feels easier.

When something fun ends, I might feel disappointed or a bit cross. Those feelings are okay. I can take a slow breath. I can remember that I will get to do fun things again another time.

When it is time, I try to stop, pause my game, or turn off the screen. Stopping calmly is a grown-up thing to do, and it makes a grown-up proud. I am learning that I can stop a fun activity and be okay.