'Bluey' Praised as the Best Children's Show on Disney+ But Some Parents Disagree for This Reason

Preschool children have anticipated the long-awaited return of "Bluey" on the Disney+ streaming platform. While it's lauded as the best children's show on the service, some parents have a different sentiment about the program.

Created and produced in Brisbane, Australia, "Bluey" centers on a family of dogs who behave like humans. Designed as a brightly-colored animation, it's easy to see why it appeals to kids based on the beautiful aesthetics alone.

Daley Pearson, one of the show's executive producers, told Georgia Public Broadcast that the dog family was modeled after Australia's Blue Heeler dogs, who are "smart, loving and loyal." Every episode of the series is roughly 10 minutes long, enough for a preschooler's attention span, but it is packed with a lot of excitement and bewilderment for its young viewers.

Why "Bluey" gets the thumbs up

But more than its presentation, "Bluey" is considered the best show for its relatable stories that not only click with the children but also contain some lessons and parenting tips for the grown-ups. Dad Mark Serrels wrote on CNET that the lessons are not even forced as it's rightfully balanced with humor.

"Bluey is funny no matter how old you are," Serrels said. "Some episodes hit on a level that you truly don't expect."

Some parents also said they cry in every episode because of the storytelling. For its third season, critics noted that the series' quality hadn't changed. It's still visually appealing and heartwarming to watch.

"Bluey" has been Australia's best children's program since its release in 2018. Its popularity outside the archipelago continues to grow and gain more viewers in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

Why "Bluey" gets the thumbs down

Despite its praises and awards, not all parents are on board the show's popularity. According to one dad on Reddit, Chili and Bandit, Bluey and Bingo's parents, set up such a high standard for every mom and dad watching the series. They are very involved and engaged with their children that it's impossible to keep up with that much energy in real life.

"Bluey sets unrealistic expectations for their kids about how often, and how energetically, [their parents are] able to play with their kids," one parent said.

Another Redditor observed that Chili and Bandit might complain about their tasks and roles as parents on the show, but they still give their children the best time of their lives by playing with them. Some subtle scenes also suggest parents have to give up their own hobbies and interests now that they have kids to look after. Other adult viewers also said Bluey and Bingo are depicted as bratty kids.

Nonetheless, these parents also acknowledge that the world of "Bluey" is a make-believe TV show. The stories are created for entertainment and education, so it would be weird to include scenes as realistic as a father rejecting their kids' invitation to play because he's too tired from work.