Songs for safety and speaking up
Boundaries Between Friends
Boundaries Between Friends is a personal space song for kids about respecting each other’s body bubble. It explores asking before hugging or holding hands, listening to a “no thank you,” and noticing when a friend feels too shy to say no. Children are also reminded to tell a grown-up when a friend will not listen.
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Hear the full song (opens in a new tab)What this song explores
Asking before hugs and holding hands
Respecting personal space and a “no thank you”
Noticing when a friend feels too shy to say no
Read the full lyrics
My bubble's there with grown-ups, and it's also there with friends
You should ask "Can I hug you?" or "Can I hold your hand?"
And then you wait to hear me say "No thank you" or "Okay"
You listen and respect that, it has to go my way
My body bubble's mine, mine, mine
Your bubble's yours all the time
We respect each other's space
No matter the time or the place
If a friend still grabs my hand, I'll help them understand
When I say no, it's a no-go, and that is just the end
I'll say "Please don't touch me" "Please respect my boundary"
And I tell my grown-up if they're still not listening to me
My body bubble's mine, mine, mine
Your bubble's yours all the time
We respect each other's space
No matter the time or the place
And when I tell my grown-up, they'll help us talk it through
It doesn't mean the end of friendship between me and you
My bubble's mine, yours is yours, and we're learning every day
That when we say "Please don't" it has to go our way
My body bubble's mine, mine, mine
Your bubble's yours all the time
We respect each other's space
No matter the time or the place
Sometimes friends might feel shy, get quiet, or want to cry
And don't feel comfortable saying "No thank you" "Bye-bye"
We need to watch and see, and still just let them be
Being a friend, we understand and respect their boundary
The people behind the song
- Music and lyrics
- Lida Mankovski
- Singing & vocals
- Cara Onofrio
- Co-producers
- Lida Mankovski & Cara Onofrio
- Executive producer
- Lida Mankovski
Parent and teacher resources
Simple ways to talk about the ideas in this song.
- How to help a child practice telling a trusted adult
- Teaching personal boundaries through music and everyday practice
Our music
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