Grown-Up's Guide
Pip's Feelings Club · Episode 20: No More Swimming
"Maybe next time."Said with two knee taps
Tap, tap.A knee tap is easier than a finger snap
"It's hard to stop."Name it, then help them go
The steps from the episode
Tap your knees two times → "Maybe next time." That is the whole trick. It does not make the sad feeling go away: it helps the body say goodbye. In the episode Pip is still sad while she packs up. Papa names it ("I know you did. You love swimming. It's hard to stop.") and helps her leave anyway. Nobody promises a next time. They count shells on the walk home.
Doing a sheet
Watch the episode together first: scan the code on Sheet 1, or visit pipsfeelingsclub.com. A calm 10 minutes, never as a consequence. You read the comic, your child does the pens. Practise the tap when nothing is ending: a skill learned in a calm moment is one they can find in a storm. Finish with a play card.
What to talk about
Sheet
Ask them
Do together
Maybe Next Time
"Why did Pip have to stop swimming?"
"How did Pip feel when she tapped?"
"Which ending was kinder to Pip?"
Tap, tap and say the words together, a few times this week, at small endings.
Time to Stop
"What did Rory want to know?"
"What is hard for you to stop?"
"Is it okay to feel sad about it?"
Pick one ending that is often hard at home, and plan the tap for it.
When something fun has to end
1. Get close: "It's time to stop."
2. Name it: "You love this. It's hard to stop."
3. Tap, tap together: "Maybe next time." Then go.
When they're stormy
Use fewer words. Stay near and stay calm.
Keep the ending. Feeling sad about it is okay.
Give them a job: "You carry the bucket."
Do it out loud yourself
"I wanted to finish my book. Oh well."
Tap, tap. "Maybe next time."
Let them see you feel a bit sad and still stop.
Catch them doing it well
"You stopped, even though it was hard."
"I heard you say, maybe next time."
"You felt sad AND you packed up."
Try to avoid
Promising a next time you can't be sure of.
Giving "one more" after you have said stop.
Telling them not to be sad. Sad is allowed.
Every day (2 minutes)
At a small ending (bath, a show, the park):
Tap, tap together. "Maybe next time."
A star each time they say it by themselves.