Is it wierd that I like to dress up as a superhero? I am, of course, not as obsessed as a 6 year old. But even as a 6 year old, I'm certain I was just as obsessed and into wacky wierd worlds like those other kids.

Maybe its a good transitional thing, I mean, once you realize that Superheroes are super 'cause they save people from things (I can't believe I'm making this argument), once the kids get into their adolescent years and start developing a real sense of their own sin and angst, they can... *gulp* see Jesus as the ultimate super-hero?

I may not be unrealistic to hope that your kids will be excited about Jesus, but I would guard against expecting it.

Kids are drawn to things that are powerful and show that they have control. Boys seem inclined to do this with cars, trucks, superheros, contruction equipment, guns and (on a more human note) superheros. Girls look for power words, flirtatious behavior (even at age three) but also tend to like the power that comes through a super hero.

My kids before seeing a single espisode showing what a superhero could do were already emulating typical superhero play. When they finally saw it on tv, they gave it names.

I think engaging with your kids is a better tactic than asking them to distance themselves from these motivations. Watching Superfriends or the like with them and then asking them who was their favorite - why - what superpower would you like to have. Saying "isn't it fun to pretend, but who really has all the power?"

My kids may not be excited about Jesus all the time, but they know that He is real and that there's a firm distinction between pretend power and God's power. Caleb will also take your lead on this. If he knows that you're interested in his life and that you honor God more then men, he'll likely follow in your footsteps.

I actually think it is healthy for a kid to have a superhero. As they grow older the intrest turns into other things as their maturity changes... Cars, baseball cards, fishing. It sparks the imagination and is a part of the overall development of a child.
Of course i don't get to experience the "guy" hobbys... sigh.. i deal with barbies and Dora the explorer. The price i pay for having two girls.

First point to be made is that I think yes, it is inevitible. Imagination is a critical part of kids' development and learning. Role playing helps them figure out a lot of stuff about people (I am speaking solely from my own experience with my five kids). Kid's "try on" different roles and it seems to help them discover their interests. You will find, as Caleb gets older, that "obessesion" is a pretty normal childhood trait. Kids don't "dabble" in anything. They "obsess" over things until they have mastered it or gotten out of it whatever they needed to be satisfied and move on to something else. For example, kids rarely have 10 movies that they really like at any given time. They have one or two that they watch over and over and over. Then they move on to one or two others.
Second point is that we can, to an extent, influence who/what our children obsess over. Obviously a kid who has never watched Power Rangers is not going to be as obsessed as one who watches it all the time. Providing our kids with various "heroes" provides them different with outlets for their imagination. Joseph was in a Prince of Egypt phase for a while and was Moses for several weeks. However, be warned that unless you intend to raise your children in a bubble, they will find occasionally find a "heroes" in the most unexpected places. Sam's obsession with Spiderman began when he walked by a pair of Spiderman houseshoes in Walmart.
Third (this is turning out to be more longwinded than I originally intended, sorry), I think that thinking about and exploring the nature of superheroes is healthy because it allows children to use their imaginations to begin to explore abstract thought and the differences in supernatural vs natural, etc. It stretches the limits of their thoughts beyond what they can do and see and feel, which ultimately they will need to be able to do to begin to understand "how wide and deep and high is the love of Christ." I'm not saying so much that pretending to be a superhero teaches us about Jesus, but I think that it excersices the "brain muscles" we need for thinking about terms such as faith and omniscience and other things that we don't encounter tangibly day to day.

P.S. And, yes, Josiah, it is a little weird that you like to dress up as superheroes, but I'm one to speak, since I like to dress up as Sydney Bristow, and that's pretty much the same thing. Just, um, please don't wear tights in public. :)

thanks so much for your thoughts. it really helps me understand better. I havent had a whole lot of kid interaction. poor Caleb has to be my guinea pig.

Hmmm. I seem to recall you having memorized the entire script of Monty Python's Holy Grail. And spouting ramdom excerpts at will and in character voice. I don't think it had a significant longlasting negative effect.

quite true. that was in highschool tho. and who could deny the comedic genious of the Holy Grail?

"Look at the bones, Man!!"

I think that imagination is invaluable for children, and adults need more of it. I wonder how hard it would be for someone to make the leap from everyday life to there is a God without imagination. Or even the concept of spiritual beings, faith, and trust, and all sorts of unseen. Not only will these concepts of superheroes go into their understanding of God, but also will their concepts of their earthly father versus and heavenly father. Sure it is like comparing a lightbulb to the sun, but we need some help to start taking the steps towards understanding. Heroes are a good thing. We need more heroes to look up too, kids love superheroes because they love to pretend, and play out scenerios, I can't help but think that God designed it this way.

Also, what an awesome opportunity to talk to your child about the fruits of the spirit, good deeds, or Christ when they are in superhero mode?

Now too much tv, that is something TOTALLY different. Even my daughter is a superhero, and we don't have tv.

One last thing, I don't know what this will mean, but most people know what kids parents you are talking about. Perhaps you should talk to them.

thanks for your input. I think I'm not as uptight about it as I was before all the helpful advice. I guess I appreciate imagination a bit better, but I'm still creeped out by all the mass-marketing of superheros and characters, but perhaps that's a different subject.

I've talked to the folks now and then, although not formally, and not very recently. they pretty much think it's no big deal, so if they're cool with it, I'll trust their judgment. but maybe I should strike up a conversation about such things again, to at least get their perspective again.