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Mom
This episode of Bluey is called Baby Race. It was a sunny day at the playground. Bluey swung confidently from the monkey bars, her small arms carrying her higher with each skip. Mom stood nearby, holding Bingo up so she could grab onto the rings. Mom, am I better at the monkey bars than Bingo? Bluey asked, curiosity in her voice. Mom smiled, gently lowering Bingo to the ground. Well, you are two years older than her, Bluey. Bluey paused, swinging back and forth. Am I better than judo? She pressed. Mom tilted her head thoughtfully. You're about the same as Judo. But Bluey wasn't satisfied. I'm not judging. Judo can't do skip bar or backwards. One bar. She declared, demonstrating the moves with pride. Mum's calm voice carried over the chatter of the playground. Bluey, just run your own race. Bluey stopped mid skip bar, puzzled. Huh? What does that mean? Mom patted the seat beside her on the monkey bar platform. Come here. Bluey climbed up, her curiosity piqued. Mum smiled. Have I ever told you the story of when you took your first steps? Bluey's eyes sparkled with excitement. Ooh, no. Mom began her tale with a gentle tap to Bluey's nose. Well, it all started when you were still a baby. The memory transported mom back to a quieter, simpler time in their old playroom. Baby Bluey lay on her stomach on a soft kiwi rug, cooing happily. Mom knelt beside her, waving a rattle. Come on, Bluey, roll over. She encouraged. Baby Bluey looked at her mom with wide eyes. Then with a determined little push, she. She rolled over onto her back. Mom's voice rose in excitement. Bandit. Bandit. She rolled over. She's not meant to do that for ages. Dad groggly lifted his head from where he'd been napping on the rug, drooling slightly. Oh yeah, that's my girl. He said, beaming. Baby Bluey giggled, reaching for Mum. Mom's pride was clear as she cheered for her baby, feeling like she had the most brilliant child in the world. Back at the playground, Bingo interrupted the story. Hang on. Where was I? She asked, her head tilted in confusion. Mom chuckled. You weren't born yet, sweetheart. Ooh, I was invisible. Bingo said with a delighted giggle. Bluey looked at Mum with admiration. Were you proud of me for rolling over so soon? Yes, Mum replied, a little too proud. Back in the story at Mother's group, Mum was happily sharing Bluey's milestone with the other parents. It is very early to roll over, she said, her pride evident. But then Wendy Judo's mom called out excitedly. Oh, she's sitting Everyone turned to see Judo sitting up all on her own. Wendy shrugged casually. Oh well, you know, it's not a race. But it was a race. Bluey stated matter of factly. Back at the playground, a baby race cheered Bingo. Back in the story. Mom too couldn't shake the feeling of competition. She set Bluey in a ring of pillows and tried to help her sit up. Come on Bluey, you can do it. She coaxed. After a lot of toppled over attempts, baby Bluey finally sat up all on her own. But Mom's joy was short lived when she saw Judo crawling at the next mother's group. The race to hit milestones had started and Mum was fixated on getting Bluey to walk before the others. I don't know what got into me, but I was determined you would walk before Judo's mom. I mean Judo. First, mom had to try and get Bluey to crawl. She tried everything to make that happen faster. She demonstrated crawling alongside dad, read countless baby books, and even enlisted Nana's old school methods. A bit of olive oil on the knees will do the trick, Nana insisted. But all it did was make Bluey slip and slide around the room, giggling at her failed attempts to crawl. Judo, meanwhile, was pulling herself up on furniture, already preparing for her first steps. Mom felt defeated. No matter what she tried, Bluey was content rolling and bum shuffling across the floor. Bluey eventually did learn to crawl, but it was backwards. Dad found her quirky movements hilarious, imitating a truck reversing as Bluey scooted backward. But for mom, the weight of comparison to other babies lingered. Especially after Judo began taking her first steps. Winning the baby race Back in present day at the playground, Bluey leaned closer to Mom. Were you upset with me that I lost the baby race? Mom wrapped an arm around her. No, sweetie. Her voice softened as she continued. Look, we were all just learning to do things for the first time. I just felt like I was doing everything wrong. Back in the story, mom was so down on herself that she even stopped going to mother's group. And Coco's mum, Bella noticed. The next day, mom was sitting on the steps of the back patio, gazing glumly at the ground as Bluey played quietly under the shade of the tree. She was lost in her thoughts when Coco's mom arrived unexpectedly. Hi Chili. Bella greeted warmly. She chatted with mom about parenting and then showed her a photo of her nine children. Mom stared wide eyed at Bella's huge family. Wow, you must have learned a thing or two. I have. And there's something you need to know. Bella said, resting her hand on Mum's knee while saying simply, you're doing great. Those three words brought tears to Mom's eyes, lifting the heavy burden she'd been carrying about the baby race. Now at the playground. Bingo noticed Mom's glistening eyes and tilted her head curiously. Are they happy tears, Mom? She asked softly. Mom nodded, her voice warm and full of love. Yeah, happy tears, honey, she said, wiping her cheeks but letting the smile linger. After Bella's words of encouragement. Mom decided to stop comparing and run her own race. She embraced Bluey's unique milestones, cherishing each one. So did Bluey ever learn to walk? Bingo Asked Mum intriguingly. Yes, honey, mum replied with a smile. In the kitchen, actually. The story shifted to the kitchen. Baby Bluey crawled backward across the floor, smiling as she bumped into the cabinets. She paused, her tiny hands pressing against the cabinet door for balance. Then, with a wobble, she stood upright. Slowly, baby Bluey let go of the cabinet, her hands outstretched as she walked for the first time, heading straight for Mum. At the sink, Mum sensed something special behind her. She stopped washing the dishes and slowly turned, her eyes widening as she saw Bluey walking toward her with determined little steps. Overcome with emotion and pride, mom knelt down to embrace her precious baby, a tear shimmering in her eye. Why did I decide to walk in the kitchen? Bluey asked, her head tilted curiously. Mom smiled, her voice soft and full of warmth. I don't know, sweetie. Bingo looked thoughtful before adding, maybe you just saw something you wanted. Looking back on Bluey's journey to taking her first steps, mom remembered how she had questioned herself endlessly, wondering if she was doing enough or if she was enough. But in that moment when Bluey took her first steps and walked straight into her arms, all of those doubts melted away. With Bluey nestled close, mom realized that being a parent wasn't about winning races or meeting milestones first. It was about being there, offering love and support and cherishing the little moments together.