My family is a bit late to the Bluey fandom. I was aware of the show but didn’t put much thought into it. The first time I noticed Bluey was a puzzle game on the Disney Now. It’s a kid friendly app with free to watch Disney shows and games. Some features are locked, but most can be accessed without in-app purchase/proof of cable subscription. Getting back to Bluey. Sometimes, my kids would get stuck and need help solving the puzzle. I’d help and they’d get back to it. Instagram is the reason I decided to borrow Season One thru Two from my library.
Relatable Parenting
Mum (Chilli Heeler) and Dad (Bandit Heeler) have two girls Bluey (6-year old) and Bingo (4-year old). One is a full on big kid and the other is gradually leaving toddler hood. This age gap can be a bit tough, because they’re so close in age. Bingo thinks that Bluey is too bossy sometimes. Bluey feels like Bingo takes to much time making decisions and effectively expressing herself. As parents, Bandit and Chilli have to navigate helping each child feel heard when playtime goes south.
It’s not that every episode is full of conflict, but little fires can pop up unexpectedly. It can be exhausting, but the teachable moment can help a child learn how address similar situations outside of the home. Also, Chilli and Bandit don’t hide their discontent for some of the games the kids want to play. Parents aren’t ready to play 24/7. So, I appreciate their transparency. I got all that from the Bluey Reels that Instagram kept serving to me. When I saw the series at the library, I snagged it.
Bluey Imaginative Play
Since the episodes are fairly short, the theme of the episodes is easy to grasp for the casual viewer. Although a majority of the episodes take place at home, the Heelers aren’t homebodies. Viewers watch Bandit and Chilli interact with their kids in public settings, extended family, and friends. Sometimes, we get child centered episodes that feature Bluey and Bingo with little to no adult interaction. So, viewers get an idea of games that they can play in different environments.
Some of those game require little to no prep. Also, Imaginative play doesn’t require a chest for of props. Yes, they help, but you can do a lot with a little. For example, my youngest watched an episode where Bandit pretends to be a crane game. My kiddo likes to grab a variety of toys, give me fake money, and pretend to control the crane (my arm) till it lines up with the prize. It’s a simple game that’s easy to execute. It’s unlikely that I would have came up with this game on my own.
Final Thoughts
I like that Bluey demonstrates ways for families to spend quality time with each other. Although it’s a TV show, Bluey promotes family play without screens. Not to say that Bluey and Bingo don’t have a tablet. There’s a variety of electronics devices in their home. There’s just not the end all be all of fun. From what I’ve seen, there’s a healthy balance of both in the Heeler home.
If you’re on the fence about introducing Bluey to your family, I highly recommend the series. You might end up watching some episodes on your own. Don’t be surprised if your kids want to reinact some of the games. Thank you for spending Friday with me. I hope you have a great weekend. Feel free to stop by next week for Meme Mondays with Trisha!
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