What Is a Yeahbutt?
A Yeahbutt is a little critter, cousin of the jackalope, that eats excuses. Every time somebody says "yeah but" before a chore, homework, or bedtime, a Yeahbutt somewhere gets a snack and grows a little rounder.
Here is the good news, and it is the best news in all of science: you are never a Yeahbutt. Nobody is. You just have one visiting sometimes. Everybody does. Your teacher has one. Your dad has one. The Institute's own Director has fed one THIS WEEK.
And here is the secret weapon: a Yeahbutt cannot survive being caught. The second you spot yours and say the magic words, "that one is on me," and then do the tiny next thing... POOF. Squeak. Gone. It works every time, and you can do it at any age. The youngest confirmed catch on record was age eight. The record is waiting for you.
Meet the Usual Suspects
Six creatures visit kids the most. Learn their tricks and you will spot yours from across the room.
The Gonna
Frozen with one shoe on, forever about to start. Eats "I was gonna." Dies when you start anything for ten seconds.
The One-More-Minute
Has a clock belly stuck at 11:59. Eats "one more video." Dies when your feet hit the floor.
The Blamethrower
Two giant pointing arms that cannot point at itself. Eats "he started it." Dies when you say "I pick what I do."
The Made-Me
Carries puppet strings attached to NOTHING and hopes you will not check. Eats "you made me mad." Dies when you take your own steering wheel back.
The Homework-Eater
Nests in backpacks. Eats "I will do it Sunday night." Dies when you do the first tiny piece.
The Mimic
The sneaky one. Real tired is REAL and rest is GOOD. The Mimic just borrows those words for fake snacks. Test: real rest makes you feel better after.
Log a Sighting
Heard one? Maybe at your house? Maybe... in your own voice? (That counts double and we are proud of you.) Type what it said and our researchers will identify the species AND tell you the exact words that capture it. Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere. This is between you and the field guide.