One of my favourite parts of Father’s Day is the kids shirts that the department stores bring out each year. Yes, I admit I am one of *those* parents who buys cutesy shirts with cutesy phrases about how awesome Dad or Mum is. Mr 7 has 3 or 4 of them at the moment. Although as he has gotten older they have moved away from from cutesy phrases and into the superheroes.
This year I got him a batman one, complete with a cape. He loves it. He’s also got several shirts with capes because they are awesome. I haven’t managed to find one in a women’s plus size yet and I am most upset about that.
Recently however, I saw the awesome impact that one of these shirts with a cape had on my normally shy and anxious Mr 7. This cape seemed to give him a confidence that he normally struggles to find. On that day it was more than a cutesy father’s day shirt with a cape.
On this day we had an appointment at the local hospital for a check up with the pediatrician. Mr 7 is normally unresponsive during these appointments. Each appointment we see a different locum who is then overseen by the head pediatrician who Mr 7 loves. This time however the locum used his shirt with it’s cape to create a conversation opener.
For the first time I was on the sidelines of an appointment as he talked freely to the Dr about the things that were happening in his life. A simple shirt had been an ice breaker for him, and the Dr calling him Batman buoyed his confidence. He was a superhero.
Later that day we were shopping in Coles and a boy pointed excitedly at Mr 7 exclaiming that he was Batman. The look on Mr 7’s face was of pure amazement. He had the biggest grin on his face. Once again the shirt had made him feel like he was a superhero. It gave him confidence.
I had always thought that dressing up in costumes was nothing more than a bit of fun. I didn’t think about the impacts it could have on a person’s self esteem and how it would give them the confidence they so desperately sought. Wearing a shirt made my little guy feel like a superhero, and feel safe enough to converse with those around him. 
Next month, throughout the country heroes of all walks of life will be meeting to share their love of all things comics, costumes and gaming at Oz Comic Con. The event has exploded over the last few years with cosplay gaining popularity in Australia. The work and creativity put into each costume is amazing. 
I have one family pass (2 adults and 2 children, kids under 5 get in free) for the Sydney or Brisbane show to give away to one lucky reader. All you have to do is answer the question:
If you could be a superhero for a day, what would you do?
Entries close Midnight Wednesday the 7th of September so get your entries in fast!
Terms and Conditions:
- Competition is open to Australian residents only.
- This is a game of chance. The most creative answer, determined by an independent judge will win the prize. All decisions are final.
- The competition runs from 6am 29th August 2016 until Midnight 7th September 2016.
- The winner will receive a digital pass for Oz Comic Con Sydney or Oz Comic Con Brisbane.
- The winner will be contacted by email so ensure that you supply a current email address.
I love this!
It’s amazing how much more confident a child can feel when they put on a super hero costume. I agree.
Maybe we should all get around in capes?
I saw a bunch of great Fathers Day shirts in Target yesterday. I was tempted …. but I didn’t do it in the end.
I’d rock a cape if they made them in my size too…if I could be a superhero for the day, I’d like to be like Deadpool but I know I’m more like Captain America – old and earnest, not young and irreverent. I’d go and use my powers to convince some politicians that the poor don’t need to be taxed more, that welfare is not an evil and that #SafeSchools is just that, making schools safe…
Actually, I’d need more than a day…there’s a lot more to do, now that I think about it…
I would love to be invisible for a day. Imagine all the places you could go that you ordinarily wouldn’t!
I love this story. Isn’t amazing what simple things can bring about confidence. xx
This is such great insight. Makes we want to let my 7yr old wear his superhero outfits out more often! I see his confidence fly through the roof too. Anazing what a change in clothes can do.
I wish I could be like flash, just zoom around the house and get it all done and then be able to relax. Being in third trimester of pregnancy at the moment…. no household chores are getting done very effectively (if at all!) and I’d love to just have the energy and speed of flash, even for just a few hours a week.
I love that the cape gave him confidence. I need to get a cape for my shy girls 🙂
Love this! Love the idea of kids dressing up as super heroes (always have, even when certain kindergarten teachers said superheroes were a bad influence!) Need to get my kids to one of these Comic Con events, they would love it xx
That is so cool! I used to love dressing up as a kid, and I think it’s an important part of growing up. Putting on the clothes of someone else allows you to explore different roles and personalities and that can only be a good thing.
If I was a superhero for a day I’d probably use my superpower of teleportation to go on a round-the-world photography trip and photograph all the things I’ve ever wanted to! Either that or I’d just fly up to the tops of tall buildings and check out the landscape, lol!
I love that the dentist that my kid’s goes to has all these little starwars characters lined up. It really does make such a difference to kids to have those “super” power reminders when they are in uncomfortable situations. If I could have any super power it would be cloning myself so that I could maybe feel on top of things for once!
I had to dress up as a clown for a fete when the kids were small, including the face full of makeup. It was enormously freeing, because nobody recognised me and I had an absolute blast!!!! So I can understand how your Mr 7 feels in his super hero cape 🙂 .
Visiting from #teamIBOT x
Love this! My kids have bought their dad two coffee mugs saying My Dad Is a Superhero. One has Superman on it, the other one has Batman on it…. Superhero obsessed in this house…
I love the confidence costumes can give kids, too. My often shy, socially awkward 4 year old gets very method actor when he dresses up, and really comes out of his shell.
If I had a super power for a day, I would either want to be invisible, or read minds. I can’t quite decide!
I love the confidence costumes can give kids, too. My often shy, socially awkward 4 year old gets very method actor when he dresses up, and really comes out of his shell.
If I had a super power for a day, I would either want to be invisible, or read minds. I can’t quite decide!