For years, I’ve seen the character Bluey on packaging, T-shirts, and just about every children’s product imaginable. So when my daughter asked if she could watch the show, my immediate response was an emphatic “no.” I didn’t want her glued to the screen, turning into a zombie like so many shows seem to encourage. Any program that gets this much attention, I thought, can’t possibly be good for kids.
That was until I actually watched it.
After the first episode, I found myself drawn in—and then the second episode had me completely hooked. Bluey is absolutely brilliant. The writing is clever and heartfelt, tackling topics that not only delight children but resonate deeply with adults. I’m not saying your child should sit and watch Bluey all day long, but in small doses, there are genuinely valuable lessons for both kids and parents.
One episode that really stayed with me features Bingo, Bluey’s little sister. (By the way, Bluey is a girl—a detail that surprised me the first time I watched.) In this story, their dad, Bandit, is having a rough day. You can see it in his face and posture. He takes Bingo out to find a stick, and together they create a little sand bird they call “Stickbird.” Soon after, some other kids take Bingo’s stick, and she gets upset and angry.
Bluey helps her calm down by sharing something she learned from a friend: she closes her fists around the bad feelings, then opens them and throws those emotions out to sea. Bingo tries it—and it helps. Watching from a distance, Bandit takes it in quietly, then turns toward the ocean and does the same. He bundles up his own emotions and releases them.
It’s a simple, touching moment—a children’s show capturing the emotional struggles of parenthood with more grace and honesty than many adult dramas ever do.
As a parent, watching Bluey reminded me that our kids often model what they see in us—how we react, how we process frustration, and how we find calm. Sometimes, they teach us too. It’s a humbling thing to realize that the simplest lessons—like taking a deep breath and letting go—can come from a seven-minute cartoon episode.
Parenthood is full of lessons like that—quiet reminders tucked into the most unexpected places. Sometimes, all it takes is sitting down with your kid and watching a cartoon about a blue heeler to remember what really matters.
