How my 12-year-old is setting healthy boundaries with humour and creativity

The Cat with a Smirk

When you have a ‘mini me’ who captures the essence of creativity and communication, this is what you get – a cute, attitude-heavy cat with a smirk on its face. It doesn’t offend you, it makes you smile and captures the mood of the person needing some ‘space’.

I admire how my preteen offspring ‘creatively’ sets boundaries while listening to music, sketching, doing homework, or playing video games.

What If We All Had DND Signs Like That?

What if we could all put up these ‘Do Not Disturb’ (DND) signs that aren’t offensive but a humorous way of setting boundaries that don’t hurt anyone’s feelings?

At work, despite me selecting the red ‘DND’ sign on MS Teams when working on a critical project delivery or online training, colleagues would often call me on my phone to ‘discuss’ something, saying, “I saw the DND on your MS Teams, so I thought I’d call you on your phone.”

It made me wonder — what part of the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on MS Teams did they not understand?

The Boundaries No One Talks About

In a corporate workspace, it’s not too easy to set such boundaries. We run the risk of ‘offending’ our peers, colleagues, or seniors.

At home or in personal spaces, it’s challenging to let people know that you need some time off — again, we risk hurting a family member or a friend. So, what do you do then?

It’s Okay to Say No (Without the Guilt)

Setting boundaries is a healthy practice. We’re human — with a mind and a heart. While we want the best for everyone, we often blur our own boundaries out of fear of offending someone else.

But what if we take that load off? Think about it. If you’re not keen to meet a relative over the weekend or just want to watch a movie at home and dig into a tub of popcorn with your family — it is absolutely okay. No guilt-tripping.

The Ripple Effect of Respect

So, what’s the result of this cute little DND sign? The kiddo comes out of her den (read: room) for snacks and water breaks, cracks a joke or two, maybe gives a random hug, and then runs off to play.

What does this sign do for us? It helps me, as a mum, respect her boundaries and space — which in turn helps create a healthy rapport.

Maybe I Need One Too

I think I’ll commission my teenager to create a couple of door signs for me as well. Why not?

If you had to create such ‘DND’ signs, what would yours say?

Let’s Talk Boundaries at The Write Compass

At The Write Compass, we work with individuals to set healthy boundaries and conduct self-appreciation workshops to help you build clarity, confidence, and stronger connections — both personally and professionally.

Let’s connect if you’re interested in exploring how a small shift can make a significant difference.