I recently listened to an interview with Joe Brumm, the creator of Bluey, on the podcast "How Other Dads Dad". He said this is a common criticism, and he thinks a fair one.

The problem is his aim was never to be an educational show for parents, but to be an entertaining show. It wouldn't be as entertaining if Bandit didn't play with the kids all the time.

So yeah, although it is a great kid's show and a much better example of parenting than other shows...we should keep in mind it's ultimately entertainment, not a parenting bible.

You are right, but some kids might compare their parents with Bluey's, and it's of course an unfair comparison, they being fictional characters, but children don't care about that.

Edit: typo.

My friend says she tries to model herself on the Mum from Bluey.

I say it gives children unrealistic ideas about how much play time the average parent can engage in without getting a crick in their back.

Children are capable of understanding the difference between pretense and reality.

My 4 year old loves playacting scenes and games from Bluey but he also understands that I'm not an anthropomorphic dog. Or, for that matter that our dog can't do most of the things the dogs on Bluey can.

This made me laugh, I often think of what bluey's dad would do in certain situations, especially if I'm losing my temper. Though I do almost resent / dialike him, irrational as it is, for being too perfect as a dad.

I respectfully disagree with your second point, while it might make parents (like me) guilty about not playing so much with kids, I think kids themselves can separate reality from TV pretty well.

I don’t think the amount of play time is impossible, it’s just that I can’t focus on playing as much as they do in that show my mind an imagination give out before my body does.

My wife and I discussed this too. We just remind ourselves that the episodes are 8 minutes long (yes, the plots sometimes are for a whole day), so realistically the parents could be spending all this 'time' which is just in 8 minute increments throughout a day/week.

But yes, ignoring that kind of reasoning, it does set a very high bar.

Also, the parents do have quips/groaning about the requests of the kids from time to time which is does add to the authenticity.

> Also, the parents do have quips/groaning about the requests of the kids from time to time which is does add to the authenticity.

I love the episode where the mom is trying to leave the house with the kids, and she just runs back into the bedroom to scream for a bit before coming out to talk.

Might misremember the details, but it immediately made me love the show.

She has the breakdown in the doorway in front of the kids. But they all calm down together after the Bluey (mostly, IIRC) asks why they're going to the park.

(We haven't watched an episode in many months, but referenced it when my son was taking forever to brush his teeth and I got frustrated.)

You're right, though a "high bar" in itself is not a bad thing! Hopefully not too many people struggle with pressure to behave like cartoon dogs. On the other hand, we might all take some inspiration from them here and there.

I think you can also see a shift to "lower the bar," though, especially in the third season. Bandit also seems to take a less prominent role. This was disappointing to my family; it seemed like some of the show's "purity" was lost to social pressure or something.

> It also sets the bar very high for parents.

Every time I hear this framed as a complaint, I feel the tiniest bit guilty—just for a moment—for personally identifying with Bandit's level of playtime effort and enthusiasm. But I can also commiserate with the few episodes where he let's on just how exhausted he actually is.

It’s actually not a complaint more of an observation.

Certainly, noted that it's observation rather than a complaint on your part. But I am still rather surprised just how often I do see it framed as a complaint nonetheless.

Good. That is one bar that should be really high and one that parents should strive to achieve.

Yes—in an encouraging way.

Eh, well, I dunno. I’ve got kids and I don’t personally let them give me as much crap as Bluey and Bingo do. Like, if they’re running up to the screen at a kids movie I’m taking them home. There’s other people in the theatre to consider. Kids need boundaries along with compassion, and yes, I know that there are the odd Bluey episodes that deal with boundaries, not getting what you want, etc…

…but there’s a lot of what seems like the kids just steamrolling their parents. That’s not sustainable for me. Being a parent is like having two full time jobs. It’s hard enough as it is to just get through the day. The bar is set a little too high.

But hey, my wife and I agree with this, so y’all do you! I’m sure most of our kids will probably turn out just fine no matter how much we model ourselves after Bandit and Chili.

I think it is a wonderful show regardless.

Edit: Knowing the average age in this industry, I have the distinct feeling that quite a few people who are not parents are involving themselves in these discussions and moderations. Just wait. I'm offering a realistic viewpoint positioned against a cartoon. And I'm not being a jerk about it.

I tend to view parenting discussions on HN with a strong gell mann weight.

the key point is that you and your wife agree what those boundaries are. i can't comment on the specific situation, but yeah, if the kids do something that i can't tolerate, then it's game over.

Is that a bad thing? (I'm a parent and I love it)