You don’t need a costume to be a superhero

Superhero kidDear Parents,

Your child thinks the world of you. Yes, you. You are it. The best. The funniest. The smartest.

A real life hero.

Sure you may not feel exactly like the superhero type when you’re hustling everyone out the door during the morning rush. Do superheroes really have to say everything at least 10 times before it actually gets done?

And, you might not feel like you can fly through the day with the greatest of ease when your child’s lunch box gets left on the kitchen counter during said morning rush. Which, by the way, contained the same boring ham and cheese sandwich that your son never eats anyway. So much for the awesome, all organic, Pinterest inspired, Bento Box lunches that you’ve been meaning to make…one day.

Or, you might think you’re less than the man or woman of steel when you arrive home late from work only to realize you forgot to plan on dinner and have no idea what everyone is going to eat.

You might even want to cry huge crocodile tears when you find out your daughter scored her first goal during that soccer game you had to miss for a meeting.

You remember these things. You berate yourself over them. Chide yourself for not being patient. For not living up to your own expectations of the parent you want to be.

But parenting is hard. And perfection is overrated. You children certainly don’t expect it.

The wonderful thing about them is that they see what you don’t.

They see you.

From the moment you wrapped that tiny bundle up in your arms and carried him/her home for the first time.

A hero was born as well.

Children naturally see all the good you do. They want you to succeed. They want you to feel good about the parent you are.

They really do.

Remember how you carved time out on your one day off so you could be “supermom” in your daughter’s kindergarten class on her  birthday?

Yeah, she remembers that.

You know how you patiently sat at your son’s bedside, stroking his hair and listening to his stories when he should have been asleep over an hour ago?

He remembers that.

Remember that impromptu bonfire you set up outside? Just because.

They remember that.

You know how you just stop. Stop and listen even though you have a million things to do?

They remember that.

And what about the time, after that epic tantrum? Instead of getting mad, you waited. You waited by your son’s side, then gently took his hand and held it for a long time. Letting him know, no words needed, that it was okay. That you would love him and be there for him no matter what.

He remembers that.

And you know that Halloween costume that you searched all over town for, made with your own loving hands, or bought from Amazon?

They will remember. And in a good way.

So remember this parents, it doesn’t take much to be superhero. No costume. No fancy stunts or tricks. Perfection definitely not required.

Because in your child’s eyes…you already are a superhero.

Simply by being you.

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One Response to You don’t need a costume to be a superhero
  1. Sarah Gannon
    October 31, 2013 | 3:41 pm

    Thank you! I needed that today!