As a busy mom trying to keep my sanity while raising tiny humans, I never thought my parenting inspiration would come from a cartoon character. Yet here I am, singing the praises of Chilli from Bluey. Yes, the adorable animated dog has become my unlikely role model (and no, I don’t think I’ve lost my mind) but I find myself addicted to watching episodes of Bluey and walking away feeling good about life and motherhood.
In a sea of parenting advice and Pinterest-perfect moms, Chilli is the down-to-earth hero we all need. Here’s why Chilli from Bluey inspires me to raise happy, emotionally intelligent kiddos:
1. She Keeps Cool When Chaos Reigns
I just love how Chilli keeps her cool when her kids (*ahem* pups) are flipping out. Whether it’s Bluey and Bingo staging a living room coup or a high-stakes game of ‘Keepy Uppy’ turning into chaos, Chilli keeps her head. As my kids get older and smarter, there have been more times than I’m proud to admit when I’ve lost my own cool. For example, when my kids decided to rub maple syrup all over their arms and bellies during breakfast this morning, I wasn’t exactly cool as a cucumber. I didn’t yell or hurt them (of course!) but my frustrated grumbles and dramatic huffs-and-puffs as I cleaned them all up made it pretty clear how annoyed I was. Later on, I wished I hadn’t made it such a big deal.
So what would Chilli do – what’s her secret?
A deep breath and a big ol’ dose of perspective. Chilli from Bluey inspires me because she, like me, is not perfect, and that’s exactly why I like her. She has her moments of doubt and pancake-flipping disasters, just like the rest of us. While I don’t plan to dance around joyfully while singing show tunes the next time my kids cover themselves in maple syrup, I’d like to TRY to stay calm, take a breath, and roll with the punches (at least a little bit).
2. She Plays (and Steps Back) Like a Pro
Chilli doesn’t just watch her kids play; she dives right into the fun, whether they’re building castles or playing Magic Xylophone. It’s a nice reminder to join the fun when we can! Every time I play with my kids – like actually playing, not just sitting next to them as they play while I scroll through Instagram – I’m always shocked to see how happy it makes them. With that being said, small dosages are my own key to happiness. Playing with them in 10-minute increments a few times per day seems to work really well for us. I don’t set a timer but I keep an eye on the clock and try to be fully present with them during this time. Then, I walk away knowing we had some quality time together, without feeling guilty about leaving them for my laptop or a few good scrolls on the ‘Gram.
BUT, let’s not forget how important it is to give ourselves permission to let them play solo, too. Stepping back and letting our kids explore their imagination alone is significant, too. After all, kids are amazing at inventing games and adventures. So, whether you’re jumping in with both feet like inspirational Chilli, or watching from the sidelines, the important thing is that they’re having fun and learning through play. And hey, taking a break to sip your hot coffee while it’s actually still hot isn’t a bad idea either!
3. She Understands that Feelings Are Everything
One thing I love is how Chilli handles emotions. Chilli from Bluey inspires me because she’s always there with a hug and some wise words when Bluey or Bingo hits an emotional bump. Meanwhile, I’m Googling “How to explain why the dog can’t wear shoes” to my tearful preschooler.
One of the biggest takeaways I’ve learned from years of therapy is that whatever I’m feeling is okay. Whether I’m overwhelmed, excited, loved, annoyed, frustrated, tired, antsy, guilty, confused, lonely, or cheerful… It’s all okay. It’s all okay, it’s all okay, it’s all okay.
Chilli shows us that it’s okay not to have all the answers, as long as we’re present with love and empathy. Love and empathy for ourselves and for others.
Plus, I’ve come to realize that I want my kids to see me with all of my normal emotions and see how I try to handle them in a healthy way. I want them to learn that there’s no need to try to smile during every moment; feel what you’re feeling, know that you’re loved, breathe, and ask for help when you need it.
4. Like all Moms, she Juggles Like a Boss
I think we can all agree that we’re managing one hundred things at once: work, family, and everything in between. Chilli’s got it down to an art. Chilli from Bluey inspires me because she sets boundaries, asks for help, and somehow still finds time for herself. Meanwhile, I’m over here feeling accomplished if I manage to shower and get the kids to school on time. Chilli’s a reminder that it’s okay to prioritize ourselves and her ability to laugh at herself is a reminder that it’s okay to mess up. Perfection is overrated anyway—it’s ALL about the beautiful mess (or so they tell me).
My Cartoon Dog Friend
Chilli isn’t just a cartoon character; she’s like the mom friend we all wish we had. She reminds me that being a good mom isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up with love, patience, and a good sense of humor. She’s taught me to be kinder to myself, embrace my imperfections, and enjoy the wild ride of raising kids.
So here’s to all you amazing moms out there. If a cartoon dog from Bluey inspires me to rock at this parenting thing, she can inspire you too. Let’s laugh at our parenting fails, celebrate our wins, and keep finding inspiration in the most unexpected places. Thanks, Chilli, for being the animated role model I didn’t know I needed.
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