"Feminist, inclusive, and laugh out loud funny." Parents are loving the ABC's Bluey as much as their kids.

Parents know that when it comes to kids’ entertainment, the sweet spot is a balance between something that’s enjoyable for both the littlies and adults. Hitting that spot is what’s made the Australian show, Bluey, reach cult status in less than a year.

The animated series, which appears on the ABC, first screened in October 2018, and was instantly popular with Aussie families. This week, the show won the Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Children’s Program.

It was also featured in the New York Times parenting section in a list of the most popular kids’ television shows – despite not even airing in the United States. That’s quite an achievement for a program set in Brisbane, and whose creator is Brisbane-based.

Bluey is a six-year-old cattle dog, and the series is about her family; mum Chilli, dad Bandit, and four-year-old sister Bingo. Each episode is a simple story told in a simultaneously heartfelt and light-hearted way, with a focus on imaginative play, and strong and positive messaging for the whole family – hence its appeal.

But more than just being popular with children, Bluey is also a smash hit with parents.

As one parent told Mamamia, “I ADORE this show. It’s funny, so sweet, intelligent, and extremely relatable.

“No super heroes, no magic, just a sweet family having everyday adventures.”

Aussie parents are falling in love with Bluey. This is why.

The creator of the show, Joe Brumm, told the ABC that Bluey is based on his own family.

“It’s as honest as I can get it,” he said.

Brumm also explained that he wanted to avoid the Peppa Pig family dynamic, where the father is quite clueless about parenting; instead, Brumm chose to portray Bandit as an equal parenting partner with Chilli.

It’s a point of difference that is not lost on parents. As mum Ellen said in the Mamamia Parents Facebook group, “Finally a dad that is portrayed as hands on! Sick of Peppa Pig’s dad always being the butt of jokes”.

Frances added, “Bandit is a great hands-on Dad, and is a great example of being a connected and ‘in the moment’ parent”.

Parents have even gone so far as to describe Bandit and Chilli as “role models” and “parenting goals”, because of how engaged they are with Bluey and Bingo.

“Not only is Bandit hands on with the kids and playing games, he does the everyday chores like food shopping and hanging out washing, with no mention of it being women’s work and no reference to him being rubbish at it just because he’s a bloke,” Rebecca said.

“The parents make mistakes and apologise for them, they let the kids safely make mistakes and learn from them in a constructive way without judgement.”

The “aspirational parenting”, as one mum put it, is one of the main reasons why parents are sitting down to watch Bluey with their children of all ages – not just preschoolers, as one might expect.

Another reason is because it’s hilarious – which is why I watch it with my own 12-year-old. View any thirty second clip, and expect to have at least one laugh out loud moment. There are moments of dry humour for the parents, and relatable jokes for the kids.

“The adult jokes make it the most enjoyable kids show to watch,” mum of a two-year-old, Frances, revealed.

Ally added, “Adults love how it’s similar to how Disney create their movies to have adult humour/themes. Kids love it because it’s relatable.”

The creators have worked hard to maintain an Australian tone, and that’s something parents appreciate and find refreshing.

“It’s a beautiful depiction of Aussie family values and dynamics,” Melissah said.

And because it’s intended to be as realistic (as far as talking dogs go) as possible, some families can even recognise the show’s scenery.

“We live in the Brisbane suburb the show is set so it’s nice to see the local attractions, buildings and parks,” one mum revealed, explaining that adds to the show’s relatability for her family.

The most often-used word by parents to describe Bluey is “beautiful”. They mean the animation, characters, and stories, but on a deeper level, also the experience of watching the show as a family.

As mum Alethea explained;

“We LOVE Bluey! It celebrates play and the important role it has in creating family connections.

“It is tender and heartfelt – so many episodes bring on the tears – and so, so funny. Childhood and parenting are touchingly portrayed in a way that kids and adults both enjoy watching.

“My absolute favourite kids show.”

Bluey has been renewed for a second season, which will air in 2020.

Does your family love watching Bluey? Tell us in a comment below.