By Sam Hillview-Close*
If you’ve ever caught yourself humming “Mum! Dad! Bingo! Bluey!” while doing the dishes, you’re not alone. Bluey isn’t just a TV show - it’s like an emotional life coach in puppy form. But it turns out our favourite animated Blue Heeler is more than a national treasure; she might actually be one of the world’s cutest resilience coaches.
Resilience: More Than Just “Toughen Up”
Resilience isn’t about gritting your teeth through life’s chaos. It’s about adapting, recovering, and bouncing back when things go sideways - like when the balloon pops or the seesaw wobbles. Kids who build resilience early tend to manage stress better, regulate their emotions, build stronger relationships, and even excel at school. Without it, they’re more prone to anxiety, depression, and poor coping habits later on.
Nearly one in four primary-schoolers and one in three secondary-school kids in a 2023 national survey by the University of Adelaide reported high levels of psychological distress. So yes, resilience training via a cartoon with impeccable comedic timing is a tiny miracle.
The Science Behind the Puppy-power
The real academic magic comes from a CQUniversity-led study. Researchers analysed all 150 episodes of Bluey (that's about 18 hours of animated brilliance) using the Grotberg Resilience Framework, which divides resilience into three components:
1. I have – Support systems like family, friends, and mentors.
2. I can – Practical skills like solving problems, managing feelings, asking for help.
3. I am – Inner strengths like confidence, optimism, and self-worth.
They found that nearly half of all episodes (around 73 out of 150) featured resilience themes in the main or secondary storyline.
The Mum Factor: “I Have a Little Cry, Then Pick Yourself Up”
In The Show (S2E19), Bingo drops a breakfast tray and melts into tears. Instead of an unhelpful “stop crying”, Mum models an emotional recovery strategy: “I have a little cry, then I pick myself up, dust myself off, and keep going.” Later, Bingo repeats the phrase - voilà, resilience in action disguised as breakfast drama!
That’s the “I have” in motion - showing support, empathy, and emotional recovery in one sweet, digestible moment.
Balloons, Seesaws and the Power of Perspective
In Keepy Uppy (S1E3), the final balloon pops. Bluey and Bingo pause, shrug, and declare: “Well, that was fun.” Boom - there’s disappointment, emotional regulation, and reframing all wrapped in a two-word line.
Then there’s Pom Pom in Seesaw (S2E27), who scales to the top and declares: “Pomeranians are a small but hardy breed.” That’s “I am” - inner strength pumped through puppy pride.
Even Parents Need 20 Minutes
In Sheepdog (S3E11), Chilli asks for a 20-minute break. Bluey panics - did she do something wrong? But later, Bluey echoes the sentiment in play: “It’s hard work looking after you. I just need 20 minutes.” That’s empathy + perspective + self-care, modelled through plush toys.
Why This Science Matters
The Grotberg framework emphasizes resilience as a learned skill, not something kids are born with. Through Bluey, we see how internal and external supports, inner strengths, and coping skills can be nurtured, sometimes without anyone even noticing. And CQUniversity work revealed that 64% of resilience moments in Bluey are facilitated by parents, especially Mum - and that mirrors how real parenting can foster these same skills.
How to Watch Bluey with Kids - and Actually Teach Somethin’
TV can't replace real connection, but when parents watch with their kids, those paused moments become teaching moments:
“What do you think Bluey felt just then?”
“Have you ever felt like that when something goes wrong?”
"What would you do if that happened to you?”
It’s the easiest free therapy ever invented - animated resilience you can cheer along with, then reflect on.
Resilience, Aussie-style
Bluey may only be six years old, but her lessons are timeless. She’s teaching generations how to handle a popped balloon, a shaky balance beam, or just a busy morning - through love, creativity, and emotional honesty.
The show’s power lies in everyday moments: a balloon deflating, a breakfast tray dropping, a parent needing rest. Those moments don’t come wrapped in grand speeches - they come wrapped in laughter, loving nudges, and cheeseburgers (almost always cheeseburgers in Bluey).
Between you, me, and Bingo’s snack stash - Bluey might just be the world’s most adorable resilience bootcamp. And that might be the most Aussie life lesson of all.
* Sam Hillview-Close is a former business executive, public health administrator, Board member, writer and blogger. Sam is also a proud neurodivergent individual.
| If this blog resonates with you and you want to talk to someone, feel welcome to contact us at Inner Calm Clinical Psychology. Remember you don't have to face it alone. When you're ready, we're here to help. |
