Boundaries by Millie by Jo Smoak
What's It About?
An adorable donkey named Millie teaches kids a very valuable lesson about boundaries and saying “no.”The purpose of children’s books is to teach kids lessons through entertaining stories at an early age. That way, when they become young adults, they might be able to better navigate some of life’s curveballs.
As an adult with young nephews, I am always reading children’s books and wondering about the deeper meaning behind them. Boundaries by Millie by Jo Smoak is here to teach kids (and adult people pleasers like me) a very valuable lesson about saying “no.”
The Importance of “No”
Readers are introduced to an adorable donkey named Millie, who is here to teach the art of creating boundaries and the importance of the word “no.” Millie explains what boundaries are and what they typically look like for a donkey — curling her lip, showing off her teeth and bucking her back feet. While we humans don’t typically display boundaries with this animalistic behavior, it is a great reminder that every person comes with their unique display to set up and enforce their own boundaries.
Millie also reminds readers that the word “no” is a full sentence. As kids, we are taught that we aren’t supposed to say no, especially to adults, because they know what’s best. This fear of saying no follows people into adulthood. The next thing you know, you have a debilitating fear of disappointing people and feel like you can never say no, even when it crosses a boundary.
Smoak uses her whimsical and colorful illustrations to keep your little one engaged and stimulated, while her words instill an important lesson that will come in handy from childhood through adulthood.
I May Say “No” — But I Still Love You!
As someone who finds myself to be a bit of a people pleaser, saying “no” comes with a lot of anxiety and fear that I will be letting the ones I love down. Learning the importance of setting healthy boundaries and never being afraid of saying no is such an important part of life I wish was communicated early on. This is why Boundaries by Millie is a crucial novel for young kids — they will learn these lessons at an early age, and set themselves up for a future with clear boundaries and an ability to communicate their needs.
Another very important message Millie explains is: Even though I might be saying “no,” I still love you! Saying no and setting boundaries with strangers can be difficult, but it’s even harder with our loved ones. No one wants to carry the weight of disappointment with them, so we think it’s easier just to do whatever anyone asks no matter what it’s doing to our mental health.
Knowing how a lack of boundaries and an inability to say no can affect an adult like me, I work so hard to ensure all the kiddos in my life understand that there should be no fear in protecting themselves and setting boundaries. Books like Boundaries by Millie are definitely paving the way for a brighter future!
About Jo Smoak:
Jo Smoak is an avid crafter and animal lover. She enjoys the outdoors, being with her dogs and spending time with children. She thinks that having and establishing boundaries with others is important and shares how boundaries are created in her book, Boundaries with Millie.
