"Kids are playful beings. You will build a better relationship with your kids the more playful you are."

Clinical psychologist and author Dr Martha Deiros Collado has built a career helping kids and families.

A devoted Bluey fan, she's also done research with BBC Studios to understand how playdates help kids, and fit in family life... with some seriously Bluey-related results.

Dr Martha joins Mary and Kate in the wagon to talk why Aussie families are sneaking in more playdates than the US and UK, how a playdate is a "mini life-skills workshop", and why sometimes kids need to know the "reward" is just being with your friends!

The research is part of Bluey’s 2026 theme, Playdates with Friends... don't forget to check out the bluey.tv Playdates with Friends hub with quizzes, games, activity ideas and episode playlists designed to inspire play beyond the screen. For real life!

This episode is sponsored by BabyLove Nappies - check out our Insta for a Long Dog trip down memory lane!

Gotta Be Done is ex-journos and Adelaide/ Melbourne mums Kate McMahon and Mary Bolling, as we deep-dive every Bluey episode, with plenty of detours into mama life, childhood memories, and everything else we're bingeing, too!