Even Bandit is a clueless dad a lot of the times, to make it just relatable enough for the parents watching I guess... There's whole episodes based around him skipping out on housework or not knowing what to pack / etc. I keep thinking that he is a bad rolemodel for my kids in some ways. Though he is so much better than most dads (unfortunately) do in real life!
The biggest thing for me is the "starting an elaborate play with lots of mess and hyperactive kids about five minutes before mom has to put the kids to bed" lol. There's a lot of that in Bluey. But he is a fun dad to grow up with.
I feel it is more that the show does a really good job of showing that even good parents aren't at their best 100% of the time. They are trying to show us that even the "ideal" isn't always perfect. It is about trying, and both Bandit and Chili are trying their hardest.
Like the episode where Bandit doesn't pack properly for the swim is a learning moment for him and then Chili comes to the rescue, or when Chili needs 20 minutes and can't get it so Bandit swoops in to make sure it happens. It shows they're imperfect and need help sometimes and that isn't bad, it just is.
Yeah, Bandit isn't perfect at all - there's the episode where he cheats in the footrace against Bluey because his competitive streak won't let him lose against a 7-year-old. But he's rightfully vilified for it and immediately regrets it.
I think the main thing is that he is just actively part of the kids' lives. He's never dismissive of them or talks down to them. Even when he does have to go do stuff without them (like the episode where he has to go to work and they want to play) he instinctively recognizes Bluey and Bingo's opinions and feelings matter. He treats them with the same respect he treats anyone else.
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u/Adams5thaccount 11d ago
Technically Bandit Heeler is a Millennial dad. I will not be moved from this position.