Dear Dartmouth,

As the parent of a 3 year old and a 1 year old my home life is slowly being overrun by kids’ stuff. And while I miss my former clutter-free lifestyle and the ability to listen to music that is actually appealing to my adult ears, there are some bright spots in the current kid-culture scene as well.

My hot take is that Bluey, the show about a 6 year old Blue Heeler and her Australian family (including her 4 year old sister, Bingo and their parents, Chilli and Bandit) is not only the cream of the kids’ TV crop – it might be the most creative and wise show in any genre.

Clocking in at 8-9 minutes per episode, the show finds a way to pack humor, life lessons, and a whole lot of heart into bite-sized chunks that seem ideal for anyone but is especially nice for those of us who struggle to find time or sustain focus.

While I would not normally use this space to promote children’s TV, I found myself thinking about so many of the Dartmouth students I know when we watched the episode ‘Bike‘ (note: if you want to view a higher quality recording, it’s distributed through Disney in the US).

Here’s a quick rundown. Bluey is in the park with her dad, trying to learn how to ride a bicycle. Frustrated by the challenge, she vents and then watches several other kids struggling with their own activities. Bingo is too short to get a drink of water from the fountain. Muffin can’t figure out how to put on her backpack by herself. Bentley can’t reach the playground equipment.

Like most of us, Bluey wants the world to be different. She wants to be able to “do things straightaway.” Why can’t we get things right on our first attempt? Why does learning a language, or an instrument, or statistical modeling, or organic chemistry, or whatever it is for you…why does that have to feel so difficult at times? And why does this feel like such a threat to our value or our worth?

I think we forget that learning is scary. And frustrating. And probably a whole lot more emotions than I’ll bother to name here. But here’s the thing…

It’s also necessary. Learning is how you become who you will be. It’s how you gain the skills and cultivate the capacities to take your place alongside the people you look up to most. It’s how you fulfill your potential to create the life you want to live.

Learning can also be inspiring. As frustrating as it is when you struggle, when you persevere and accomplish something worth achieving, you know something new about yourself. You know yourself as resilient, as innovative, as a person of integrity who is not afraid of challenge. And finding confidence in ourselves allows us to also show up for others, and cheer them on as they find their way through their own struggles.

So while your struggles are likely not riding a bike, or drinking from a fountain, you might find some encouragement from spending a little time with Bluey this week. Think about all you’ve faced this year, and how you’ve found your way through the roadblocks and adversity you’ve encountered. As the academic year wraps up, maybe even allow yourself to pause and savor this moment and the you that you are becoming.

Along with all my colleagues in Student Affairs, I see you, in all your struggles and your triumphs, and echo the words of another favorite from children’s literature:

“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

Nice work, Dartmouth.

Take care and be well!
Todd