I have a confession to make: I may be more of a Bluey fan than my three-year old daughter is. We first got acquainted with Bluey when my husband sent me a list of appropriate sources of screen time for kids. I didn’t know what to expect upon watching the first beat of its very catchy opening music drop, but I was immediately hooked on the way it presented a modern family, even though it’s from the point of view of anthropomorphic Australian cattle dogs.
Although Bluey is clearly an animated show made for young kids (its candy-colored aesthetic is an immediate giveaway), the way it’s written reaches a wider, older audience. While most of the episodes show the playful escapades of siblings Bluey and Bingo and their parents, dad Bandit and mom Chilli, from the Heeler family, they have also managed to tug at my heartstrings multiple times. I would almost always feel myself on the verge of tears as a seven-minute episode comes to an end, right when it surfaces an underlying life lesson that’s meant more for the parents than the kids.
It’s amazing for an animated show to be a source of inspiration for parents — or dare I say, even for viewers without children, but these life lessons from a few episodes of Bluey can already make a huge impact on anybody. Be forewarned of spoilers, though!
In the episode “Duck Cake”, Bandit is tasked to make Bingo’s birthday cake while also dealing with Bluey’s hesitation to clean up her toys. Bandit has a slight meltdown when creating the cake doesn’t go too well, and Bluey steps up to make her dad feel better. This episode also shows how doing a kind act can be a source of joy not just for the receiver but for the doer as well.
When Bandit mistakenly eats Bingo’s last chip in the episode “Dance Mode,” the parents try to make it up to her by agreeing to activate dance mode whenever Bingo wishes for it. In the process, everyone takes most of Bingo’s chances, leaving her feeling ignored. What’s beautiful about the episode is how it shows Bandit and Chilli taking the time to understand four-year old Bingo’s feelings and readily admit to their mistake, resulting in a funny and heartwarming resolution for the whole family.
In the emotional (yes, I full on cried) episode “Baby Race,” Chilli tells Bluey and Bingo about the time when Bluey was learning to walk. As a first-time mom, Chilli couldn’t help but compare herself to the other moms and reflect on what she was doing wrong, especially when their babies start walking ahead of Bluey. Through the help of another mom from the group, she finally understands that she’s doing a great job and decides to “run her own race.” She then reveals to the kids that eventually Bluey learns to walk, in the most remarkable of circumstances.
In “Seesaw,” Bluey and Bingo’s Pomeranian friend Pom Pom starts to feel left out when her size limits her from playing like her other friends. Bandit picks this up and playfully challenges Bluey and Bingo when he claims one side of a seesaw, with Bluey rounding up all her friends to help them win. In the end, they also help Pom Pom gain enough confidence with her size when she arrives and literally brings down Bandit from the seesaw.
The episode “Pass the Parcel” shows how a major change in a traditional party game can be full of surprises all while teaching kids how to be resilient. When Lucky’s dad suddenly changes the rule to pass the parcel by just placing one gift, the kids are initially sad about losing, but they eventually get by and embrace the new rule. By the end of the episode, it’s emotional seeing the kids, especially Bingo, develop a newfound appreciation for fair play and taking chances.
In “Rug Island” Bluey and Bingo get their hands on a new set of felt tip pens and they decide to create Rug Island, an immersive fantasy world right in their backyard. Their dad Bandit joins in on the fun and they spend a whole afternoon teaching him the ins and outs of the island. In the end, when it’s time for him to go back to being a “grown up”, Bingo gives him an unexpected parting gift which makes him treasure the time spent playing with them.
Or in the case of Bingo in the episode “Yoga Ball,” let out a big girl bark. When Bluey and Bingo play with Bandit’s office yoga ball, Bingo realizes how rough play can be too much for her. Chilli encourages Bingo to talk to her dad, resulting in Bandit gaining a better understanding of his younger daughter’s boundaries.
In the episode “Camping,” Bluey gains a new friend in Jean-Luc when both of their families go camping. They bond together within just a few days but Bluey eventually learns about the loneliness that comes with goodbyes when Jean-Luc suddenly leaves. Chilli helps her realize how the short time they spent together was still well worth it. What’s beautiful about this episode is how it poignantly shows that endings can stand side by side with new beginnings.