When Michelle Barrow, known as Mama Nous online, shared that her family had taken a three-week break from Bluey, she expected a few raised eyebrows. Instead, her video struck a nerve — with some parents nodding along in recognition and others leaping to defend the beloved Australian show.
Her household’s experiment wasn’t about villainizing Bluey. As Michelle explained, it was about noticing that her twin boys were starting to push boundaries, mimic “naughty” behavior, and spiral into tantrums after episodes ended. “I’m sure Bluey is fine for many families,” she said, “but for us, like, it’s crazy to me that people call it a low-stimulation show. I do not see it that way.”
So what’s going on here? Why does one of the most critically acclaimed preschool shows feel like a gift for some families — and overstimulating for others?
What the Barrows noticed in their own home
Michelle and her husband described a pattern that might sound familiar: the moment Bluey was turned off, meltdowns began. Even setting clear limits (“two episodes and then we’re done”) didn’t help. The eight-minute format seemed to fuel the “just one more” loop.
More than that, the couple noticed that their kids weren’t absorbing the morals at the end of each episode. Instead, they were copying Bluey and Bingo’s mischief and turning boundary-pushing into a game.
“Z’s new thing was pushing a boundary and then going tee hee hee,” Michelle’s husband said. “That’s so not okay. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but I feel like that has really dropped off since we stopped.”
What experts say about kids and short-format shows
A research published in Behavior Sciences found that kids under 6 are natural imitators. They latch onto behaviors first, and the ability to process abstract lessons (“this is the moral of the story”) comes later.
That means while adults may watch Bluey and see thoughtful parenting moments, kids might focus on the silly parts — the cheeky sibling antics, the chaos of pretend play — without fully connecting to the resolution.
Short episodes can compound the challenge. At eight minutes each, Bluey is perfect for busy families, but the brisk pacing can make it harder for some children to transition when the screen turns off. Unlike a 25-minute show with built-in rhythms, there’s less “settle time” between start, climax, and finish.
None of this means Bluey is a “bad” show. It simply highlights how differently kids process media depending on age, temperament, and stage of development.
Related: Relocating for ‘better’: This Bluey episode reminds me of my own complicated feelings about starting over
What parents are saying
Michelle’s video drew thousands of reactions. Some parents felt instantly validated.
- “I can not tell you how validating this is to come across. I said this from the beginning about Bluey and had it on our no thank you list. Cheers to recognizing your children’s needs.” — @3triciamarie
Others described a mix of experiences depending on the episode or their child’s personality:
- “Some of the episodes are lovely & low energy — Rain, Sleepy Time, the Creek — but I agree that some of them are too much for our kids.” — @earaeslehc
- “When my child (5) watches it, she thinks being naughty is funny, has a harder time playing independently, and talks like a baby. When we go longer without watching it, we see these things go away.” — @maldoeslife
And many parents shared the opposite perspective:
- “It could be because of the type of neurodivergent household we are, but we’ve had easy success with Bluey. Our kids are the kind who immediately like to copy what they see. So even without our prompting, they request to turn off the show and play whatever game was on screen almost every time.” — @itsashworden
- “We love it, it does not have this affect on my kids at all, but I respect that the same thing doesn’t work for all families 👍” — @sarahvvvictoria
Some even noted they’d had the exact same struggles with other preschool staples:
- “I had the same issue with Daniel Tiger actually. We had to ban it in our house. Our daughter started mimicking his whining.” — @brookewatters
Related: Tissue alert: TikTok mom shows *her* mom’s emotional response to a ‘Bluey’ episode
How to do a quick “media audit”
Every child processes shows differently. What worked beautifully for your neighbor’s family might spark meltdowns in yours. A simple “media audit” can help you decide what stays on your family’s watchlist:
- Pacing: Does the show feel calm and steady, or does it leave your child buzzing?
- Takeaways: Does your child repeat the antics, or can they talk about the lesson?
- Transitions: Can they handle turning it off, or does every ending bring a meltdown?
- Boundaries: Does the show model respectful conflict, or normalize boundary-pushing in ways your child copies?
- Fit: Does this work for your child’s age and stage right now?
Related: 5 parenting lessons we learned from ‘Bluey’
Alternatives and co-viewing strategies
Parents in Michelle’s comments recommended gentler shows like Stillwater, Frog & Toad, Puffin Rock, Tumble Leaf, and the Paddington cartoon series. Many of these feature slower pacing, longer episodes, or calmer visuals that make transitions easier.
If your family wants to keep Bluey (or any fast-paced show) in the mix, experts suggest:
- Watching together so you can pause and talk about what’s happening.
- Explaining the moral right after the silly scene.
- Bundling episodes into a viewing “session” with a clear start and end.
- Turning off autoplay so “just one more” doesn’t become an automatic loop.
The big picture
For the Barrows, the Bluey break has been a relief. “That means I am crying a lot less,” Michelle said with a laugh. For others, Bluey is still a favorite — a show that celebrates play, imagination, and imperfect families in a way few others do.
And that’s the point: parenting choices around media don’t have to be one-size-fits-all. The best “rule” is to pay attention to your kids’ reactions, trust your instincts, and adjust as needed.In the end, the conversation sparked by one family’s Bluey ban is about empowering parents to choose what feels right for their unique little ones.
Sources:
- Behavior Sciences. 2025. “Effects of Joint Action Observation on Children’s Imitation”