The Origin of Yabbit the Rabbit: From “Yeah, But…” to a Story About Courage

Yabbit the Rabbit was imagined by my mother, Barbara, whose creativity and insight as a parent brought this character to life. Every beloved character begins somewhere, and Yabbit’s origin came directly from her experiences raising two children while balancing a busy career.

Between managing work and family, my mother didn’t have much time to debate with us. Whenever my brother or I hesitated, tried to avoid a task, or simply didn’t want to do something, we’d often respond with a familiar phrase:
“Yeah, but…”

That became our go-to excuse to dodge responsibility. Without missing a beat, my mom would deliver her signature reply:
“No yeah-buts!”

After saying it hundreds of times, something clicked. She began imagining a story about a little rabbit who personified that same hesitation, a character who always said, “Yeah, but…” when faced with fear or challenge. And just like that, Yabbit the Rabbit was born.

Watch the origin of Yabbit the Rabbit on my Youtube documentary

In her mind, Yabbit the Rabbit represented more than a playful phrase; he embodied the avoidance behaviors children often show when they’re scared, uncertain, or lacking confidence. Through this character, my mother sought to help kids recognize those feelings and find the courage to take one small hop forward despite their fears.