diff --git a/addons/godot_state_charts/state.gd b/addons/godot_state_charts/state.gd
index 93cc81f..d204c1a 100644
--- a/addons/godot_state_charts/state.gd
+++ b/addons/godot_state_charts/state.gd
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ enum ProcessMode {IDLE, PHYSICS}
 
 ## whether to process transition delays during physics or idle frames
 export (ProcessMode) var transition_process_mode: int = ProcessMode.PHYSICS
+## events to consume so that parent state can not
+export (Array, String) var consumed_events: Array = []
 
 ## whether the current state is active
 var active: bool setget _set_active
@@ -77,6 +79,10 @@ func _state_event(event: String) -> bool:
 			# first match is taken
 			_queue_transition(transition)
 			return true
+	
+	if event in consumed_events:
+		return true
+	
 	return false
 
 func _process(delta: float) -> void:
@@ -113,6 +119,7 @@ func _process_transition(delta: float) -> void:
 		_queued_transition_time -= delta
 		# if ready, handle transition and clear queue
 		if _queued_transition_time <= 0.0:
+			print(_queued_transition.name)
 			var transition = _queued_transition
 			_queued_transition = null
 			_queued_transition_time = 0.0
diff --git a/addons/godot_state_charts/state_chart.gd b/addons/godot_state_charts/state_chart.gd
index 3baaa82..857259a 100644
--- a/addons/godot_state_charts/state_chart.gd
+++ b/addons/godot_state_charts/state_chart.gd
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ tool
 class_name StateChart, "state_chart.svg"
 extends Node
 
+## whether chart should initialize on its own or be done manually
+export var auto_initialize: bool = true
 ## whether chart should propagate processing events every frame
 export var idle_frame_event: bool = false
 export var physics_frame_event: bool = false
@@ -15,7 +17,10 @@ var _guard_properties: Dictionary = {}
 func _ready() -> void:
 	if Engine.editor_hint:
 		return
-	
+	if auto_initialize:
+		initialize()
+
+func initialize() -> void:
 	# make sure only one child exists
 	if get_child_count() != 1:
 		push_error("StateChart must have exactly one child")