As your eyes slowly flutter from the morning sun’s rays sneaking through the timber cracks of your venetian blinds, you feel the serenity of silence as you merge deeper into the serene softness of your duck down feathered doona. Then suddenly a sharp pain in your side reins you from your slumber, forcing your startled mind to scramble for an explanation and a hope that it is a misguided dillusion that will vanish as quickly as it arrived so that your eyes can rest peacefully again in silence. But the “peeuw, peeuw, peeuw” sound echoing from the opposite side of your bed followed by the “Got you! Got you!”, awakens your half-dazed mind to the reality that your boys are awake and it’s the start of another superhero day!
As the only female in a house of over active, non-stop, action fighting boys, who have an overwhelming fascination with their doodles and find farts and burps hilarious (something their father proves never grows old), rest, sleep and ‘quiet time’ is something I can rarely appreciate. Yes I am a mother of boys and wouldn’t change it for the world, but even though the past four years has taught me a lot about the differences between girls and boys – mostly that “No!”, “Stop” and “Don’t” are words that do not register with boys; and I feel I’ve adapted well, it’s the superhero factor I’ve never fully understood.
From Batman to Spiderman and everything in between, the super hero factor has almost become a coming of age for boys heading up from 2 years old. Even if you avoid letting your children watch such films or cartoons, superhero images or icons have become so naturalized throughout social media that all superhero symbols are instantly recognisable – even if your kids are not quite sure who, why or how! Whether it’s a character on a tee-shirt or a full-blown costume, my boys would wear it rain, hail or shine anywhere and anytime. Whilst I can appreciate the appeal of the super hero factor for all growing boys and their imagination and I love watching my 2-year-old running around shooting imaginary webs from his wrist while my 4 -year-old manages to convert anything he can put around his neck into a cape, I struggle to find a neutral balance between imaginary, fun dress up time at home to sensible imagination in public (if there is such a thing).
But it doesn’t have to be that hard. Using your boys imagination as inspiration, the super hero factor is a great opportunity to get your creativity on and interact with your boys through doing some very simple DIY super hero things. The good thing about this is, if you involve your boys in the process, you can sneak some more subtle superhero items that are wearable in public but don’t lose the ‘fun’ factor!
Some DIY ideas:
1: Buy an inexpensive plain tee, singlet or shorts and some superhero themed fabric such as these from www.fabriclove.com.au:
and cut out some of the characters on the fabric and sew on where ever you like. If you don’t have a sewing machine, you could use fabric glue and get your boys involved.
2: Using the same fabric with the addition of some rope or cord, cut out a rectangle shape of the fabric, fold one of the shorter edges over the cord (which is at least double the length of the short side of the fabric) and either glue or sew down to create an instant cape!
3: Buy a plastic eye mask from your local fabric, craft or almost any good general store, and glue some of the fabric over the top to create an instant disguise!!
The ideas and options are endless and it’s a far cheaper option than buying commercial superhero items. If you’re looking for more ideas, head to another fantastic blog I’ve found http://www.allfortheboys.com/ that has some brilliant DIY activities that are dedicated to boys.
As a sewer, I really have no excuse for not being more creative and involved in making my boys clothes, but as a pregnant mother of 2, I also understand how easily time slips away and DIY things are not as simple as they sound. So I’ve found a few handy parents who do the hard yards for you through etsy.
ChelseaRoseBaby
FuddieDuddies
TashiBear
Whether we understand it or not, the superhero factor is an inevitable stage for any boy with an active imagination and one that can be brilliantly fun for both you and your boys. So although I struggle at times to contain my boys imagination when it is needed, I say get your creativity on and indulge in the superhero factor before they outgrow it!
Related articles
- 8 Superhero Bedroom Accessories – BAM! (lifewithoutpink.com)
- Super Hero Masks and Super Hero Dads (dadsforlifesg.wordpress.com)
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