Bluey is a popular Australian animated television series that premiered on ABC Kids in October 2018 and reached its third season in late 2022. The program was created by Joe Brumm and is produced by Queensland-based company Ludo Studio. Set in a world of anthropomorphic dogs, the show follows 6-year-old Bluey, her 4-year-old sister Bingo, and their parents, Bandit and Chilli. Each episode is a self-contained seven-minute morality play.
This presentation will focus on our observations and reflections of the series as a peer group of five child and adolescent psychiatrists working in public, private and academic positions, as well as parents of young children. Using examples from specific episodes, we will discuss core themes in child development and parenting, including key learnings around:
1. How the episodes “Sleepy Time” and “Flat Pack” teach us about children growing up and carrying their good parental objects with them, though object relations theory.
2. How the episode “Baby Race” illustrates self-reproach and blame in parents and the Winnicottian concept of the good enough parent
3. How the episodes “Takeaway” and “Hammerbarn” inform us about managing children’s libidinal impulses and drives and setting boundaries.
The presentation will highlight how Bluey makes these concepts accessible to both children and adults, but also discuss some of the limitations in using Bluey as a teaching tool for both children and their parents and caregivers.