Bluey

Written for https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/category/what-do-you-see/

My granddaughter loves the television show Bluey.

The cartoon cattle dog is from Australia. She has a younger sister Bingo, Mum and Dad, and extended family. Unlike some of the American counterparts, this series is more in tune with real life.

On the episodes I have seen, the back of their car is messy, siblings don’t always behave and they have moments of self doubt about parenting. Things can go awry, but it is how they handle the issues in a sensitive way that impresses me.

Another episode is where they were doing a play, and had a balloon to represent a pregnancy. When it was accidently popped, they held hands, as if there were a miscarriage before she was born. A different one is set in a cinema. Bluey is worried because she feels ‘‘different’’ to her friends because she is terrified of the storm part. Dad explains she should just be herself and it is okay to not be the same.

It feels like they are tackling autism.

The most recent I observed was ‘The Baby Race’, and something we all experience. The first to sit up, walk and talk. Her mum pushed her to crawl instead of roll, so she could be at the same pace as the other toddler. The chat between the parent and a friend from nursery, which highlighted that no child is at the same stage. She was frightened that it was her fault, but had the support of another mum, who helped her see little ones don’t come with a manual.

It made me feel sad and validated.

They dress up as two grannies called ”Gladys and Rita”. It made me giggle when they were on a bus and one of them had a whoopie cushion and pretended to break wind. All the while trying to persuade their fellow passenger ”Mum”, a fellow passenger, to be brave enough to ask ”Dad” the driver, on a date.

The best thing is, Bluey is a girl and in now way stereotypical.

When adults are observing the scenario alongside their toddlers, this would demonstrate to them that being a parent isn’t about being perfect. It is about caring for them, and making sure they are safe.

Now I am thinking, could I watch it without the toddler to see what happens next?