Credit: Ludo StudioTo say that Bluey is a popular animated series would be like saying that Batman is just a rich guy with a cape and a fancy car, as the little blue dog has dominated our screens for years. However, she’s reportedly losing some of her massive fanbase.
The beloved Australian animated kids show from Ludo Studio and Bluey creator Joe Brumm has taken the world by storm, and millions of viewers are still waiting for season four to finally drop. That said, some parents feel like there’s something wrong with Bluey and the rest of her family.
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Although the series is known for its good morals, focus on creative play and lovable cast, many parents have taken offense at some of its recent content. It’s not that anything inappropriate is being shown, but it apparently sets the bar for basic parenting a bit too high.
Parents Launch Anti-Bluey Campaign
For those of you just tuning in, the series is about a playful blue heeler puppy named Bluey and her family that explores themes of family, friendship, and imagination through simple, everyday adventures. That all sounds pretty cut and dry, and quite the wholesome affair, so why would anyone have a grudge against Bluey?
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iNews columnist and parent Allegra Chapman recently claimed that the show has “ruined her life” and drastically affected her relationship with her children. In her article, Chapman shared the following take.
“Bluey is the quintessential show of the gentle parenting era. The parents never shout, or punish. They are respectful of their children’s thoughts and ideas. They are never too busy for their kids, and they encourage Bluey and her younger sister Bingo to be their full selves. It’s beautiful and aspirational. And impossible to live up to.
“I watch the Heeler parents remaining constantly calm and (almost) always energetic while coming up with endless imaginative games for their offspring, and I feel like a failure.”
This isn’t the only criticism of Bluey’s illusion of perfect parenting. Another concerned contributor, Collin Drury, made a similar observation in his separate report, even going as far as to call for a need for a ban in his household.
Drury writes,
“Children do repeat behaviors they’ve seen on screen because – obviously; so very obviously – they’re still developing the critical thinking skills needed to understand that liking a TV character doesn’t mean we should be like that character.”
“And they do – obviously; so obviously – become unclear about what is okay and what perhaps isn’t. And surely, it’s our job – as the adults – to help improve that clarity, even if that means temporary bans on certain media.”
Turning the Tables
As Bandit Heeler once said, “It’s just monkeys singing songs, mate. Don’t think too hard about it.” Comparison is the thief of joy, and it’s more than a little delusional when comparing human parenting skills to those of a pair of cartoon dogs.
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That said, this isn’t the first time Chilli and Bandit have been placed high on a pedestal only for real human parents to blame themselves when they fall short of an impossible goalpost. Still, banning something as cute and wholesome as Bluey is outright ludicrous.
A common saying about the show is that “it’s a show about parenting that kids can watch too,” and there is some truth in that. However, just because Superman can fly doesn’t mean his fans can as well.
Several pieces have been written on the lessons parents can take from the show, but they are not meant to copy the episodes verbatim. At the end of the day, Bluey, Bingo, and the rest of their cartoon canine crew are simply animated characters, and trying to live up to a fictional standard isn’t just impossible; it’s silly.
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Games of Keepy Uppy and duck cakes might be easy to imitate, but parents still need to give themselves a little grace. Another lesson the show has taught us multiple times before.
What do you think of this Bluey ban? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!