I’ll be the first to admit that as the mom of two (rambunctious) boys—both toddlers still—I feel inadequate in confronting the myriad made-up trials and tribulations that comprise their daily play…I’m constantly finding myself a major or minor player (I never know which) in some galactic battle, whether it’s when I walk through the door after work or when I’m taking some “quiet time” to fold laundry.
It goes like this: At around 2 pm on a Sunday, I’m upstairs with my beloved basket when my four-year-old enters the room and suddenly screeches, “You there! Stand back!!! Don’t touch ANYTHING! I’ll be right back!” Um, okay.
Donning one of his various helmets, Keith reenters the room and declares in his toughest tough-guy voice that my trouser socks are “bad guys” and that they need to be separated from the good-guy socks (or so I gather?). Keith shouts the word “Rebels!”—even though he doesn’t know what this word means—and I (try to) play along. I shout, “Agent Mommy here, Master Keith. I’m here to save the day!” only to be told that, “No, Mommy, I’m not Keith. I’m Mikey. I’m 16 years old—a teenager—and you are not an agent, and your name is not Mommy! You’re Judy.” Oh, okay.
In these moments I think, “John knows what this is all about.” And he always does. When later asked what various names and actions meant, my husband will report, “Oh yeah, Ninja Turtles are the ‘thing’ now. He’s been calling me ‘Raf’ all week.” Ah, Mikey = Michelangelo. Got it.
John is THE superhero; when not chipping away at freelance gigs, this stay-at-home dad takes our boys hither and yon on various excursions, mileage no matter. I “love” the texts received from forgotten corners of the state. “Are the boys warm? You have sippies?” is my usual reply. Silly. What are jackets and juice to a superhero trio? While the house is always a mess (hence, weekend cleanups), my boys are happy—and thoroughly engaged, at all times.
It’s no wonder that when we posted on Facebook a candid photo of a father and son donning dual capes in a Home Depot, it went viral. (And ultimately became the inspiration for this month’s Superhero theme and cover image). Friends inquired whether my husband was the superdad in said image.
“It’s John in spirit,” I replied. The only difference…John doesn’t need a cape.
Zap! on over to Pinterest for Superparent pinspiration!
