The widely celebrated children’s show, Bluey, isn’t just for kids; it has plenty of lessons for adults to learn too. The Australian animated show follows a family of dogs, the Heelers – Chilli, Bandit, Bingo, and Bluey. The show has become quite popular on social media, especially TikTok, as adult viewers find that there is something captivating about the Heelers and their experiences that always end with a lesson to be learned.
Although created as a preschool show, many have discovered that Bluey has something to say to everyone. Sometimes, the episodes become so deep and highlight the human experience so poignantly, it feels like Bluey is more for adults than kids. From teachings about speaking up for oneself to ones about the fleeting nature of life, Bluey has a lot to say to adults if they’re willing to listen.
12 Self-Care Is Essential
Sometimes adults need an extra reminder that self-care isn’t selfish. This reminder is provided in Bluey, season 3, episode 11, “Sheepdog,” where Chilli is able to take a well-deserved rest. Chilli serves as a role model for setting boundaries and advocating for her needs, as she firmly tells her family, “I need 20 minutes when no one comes near me!” Not only is this moment relatable for parents everywhere, but it reminds them that it’s okay to want, need, ask for, and take time for yourself.
11 People Leave And That’s OK
A large part of adulthood is making connections and then letting them go, and Bluey provides an important lesson on this topic. In season 1, episode 43, “Camping,” one of the episodes that makes Bluey one of the best TV shows of 2023, Bluey makes a new friend named Jean-Luc while on a family camping trip. The two play together every day, until one day Bluey discovers that Jean Luc has gone back home. Bluey is upset about this, but at the end of the episode, viewers get to see an older Bluey returning to the campgrounds and leaning on a tree that she and Jean Luc had planted together.
This Bluey storyline teaches both kids and adults that sometimes special people are only present for a time. Even when friends must separate, though, something beautiful can still be present, the memories of the times spent together. The tree growing from the seed that Jean Luc and Bluey planted together serves as a reminder for adults that even if friends grow apart, each person can learn and grow from the times shared together.
10 Boring Things Are Still Important
Sometimes it feels like all “adulting” entails is one boring task after another. It can be easy to want to shirk responsibilities that seem boring, but Bluey provides an important reminder that even if things are monotonous, they can be important. In Bluey, season 1, episode 22, “The Pool,” Chilli is teased by both her husband and Bluey for spending so much time planning on what to bring to the pool. When they get to the pool without everything they need, the family learns an important lesson that sometimes the boring tasks set up the fun.
9 Self Advocation Is Key
Adults and kids alike sometimes forget the importance of advocating for themselves. Bluey, season 1, episode 16, “Yoga Ball” teaches the importance of viewers using their “big girl bark”. When Bingo is rough-housing with her dad, he sometimes forgets that she is quite a bit smaller than her sister, Bluey. That’s when Bingo’s mom teaches how to use her “big girl bark” and make it known when people are playing too rough with her. Whether it be at work or with personal relationships, Bluey can serve as a lesson to adults that it’s important to make their voices heard.
8 Parents Aren’t Perfect
Navigating adult relationships with parents can certainly be tricky. Adults often come to the realization that the parents they once saw as untouchable superheroes are actually human and not perfect. In Bluey, season 1, episode 34, “The Dump,” Bluey notices that her dad is throwing away some of her drawings. She is noticeably upset at this and her dad apologizes and says that he was being silly for throwing the art away. This episode can teach an important lesson to adults, that their parents make mistakes just like everyone else. If they take accountability and are willing to right their wrongs, sometimes it is best just to forgive and forget.
7 Time & Youth Are Fleeting
Life moves quickly, and Bluey encourages adults to think about how being young and having lots of time ahead isn’t permanent. This lesson is shown in Bluey, season 1, episode 14, “Takeaway,” where Bluey and Bingo are testing their dad’s patience while he’s trying to accomplish an errand. He pauses and reflects and says “Flowers may bloom again, but a person never has a chance to be young again.” His words serve not only as a reminder to adults to not take things so seriously and recognize they won’t be at this point in their lives forever but also to parents to give their kids lenience as childhood only lasts so long.
6 People Can’t Control Other People’s Behavior, Only Their Reactions To It
Most adults know that there are plenty of annoying people out there. Bluey, season 3, episode 8, “Unicourse” reminds adults that while people can’t control other’s behavior, they are fully in control of how they react to it. In the episode, Bluey is unable to fall asleep, and Chilli is reading her a story. Unicourse, an annoying hand puppet played by Bandit, keeps trying to interrupt. Chilli is able to remain calm, despite being frustrated by her husband’s behavior. She teaches an important lesson to adults to remain in control of their tempers and reactions, even in irritating situations.
5 Proper Healthcare Is Crucial
It’s easy in the hustle and bustle of adulthood to forget to take care of one’s self. Bluey, season 2, episode 27, “Grandad” reminds adults of the importance of taking care of one’s health, so that they can be there for the ones they love. In the episode, Chilli encourages her dad to take care of himself because she still needs him around. The scene sets up an important moment for adults to pause and reflect on the necessity of taking care of one’s health, if not for themselves self than for their loved ones.
4 Failing And Figuring It Out Is Normal
Adulthood can be a lot of trial and error, triumph and failure. Bluey, season 1, episode 11, “Bike” teaches adults that it’s more than okay to fail, as long as you get back up. In the episode, Bluey is having a hard time learning to ride her bike. Although initially fed up, Bluey takes inspiration from her friends and parents to continue to try and, eventually, she is able to succeed. Whether this be with applying for jobs, picking up a hobby, parenting, or whatever new challenge arises in an adult’s life, Bluey can serve as encouragement that failure is not the end.
3 Small Acts Of Kindness Can Go A Long Way
By adulthood, most have learned that small acts of kindness can make the recipient feel good. Bluey reminds adults, though, that there is another person who benefits from doing something nice for someone else, the doer! In Bluey, season 2, episode 30, “Duck Cake,” Bluey learns that helping her dad clean up and seeing his positive reaction makes her feel so good that her tail wags. The episode serves as an important reminder that, even in the chaos of adulthood, stopping and doing something nice for someone else is always a good idea.
2 Parenting Isn’t A Race
Many adults fall into the trap of comparing their children and themselves to others, feeling they are not doing enough. Bluey, season 2, episode 50, “Baby Race” is regarded as one of the best episodes of Bluey and can serve as a reminder to all adults that life isn’t a competition. In the episode, Chilli is thinking about how she got competitive when it came to Bluey walking before her friend’s baby. When Bluey begins developing an overly competitive spirit, Chilli shares the lesson she learned from the baby racing experience and tells her “Bluey, just run your own race.”
1 Each Day Is A Fresh Start
Even when things go terribly wrong, Bluey teaches both adults and children that tomorrow is a fresh start. This lesson is presented to audiences in Bluey, season 2, episode 14, “Mum School,” Bluey is pretending that a few balloons are children that she is raising. One of the children accidentally flies away into the sky. Chilli says that the balloon will be okay and, although, she failed “mum school,” there’s always tomorrow.
