Long before Emma was born I made a firm decision that I would share my passions with my kids. The primary one of course, aside from music, is Batman. I’ve explained it (or tried too) a few times before, about the kind of entertainment and emotional rewards I get from Batman (see: Life of Dad After Show Ep: 108).
So one day, while my Wife was still preagnant, I declared to her that every so often the little one and I will have “Daddy-Daughter Day” where we’ll both wear Batman shirts, sit around and watch movies then go for icecream/her favorite food.
A few weeks ago as we walked through WalMart, I spotted the holy grail of Batman outfits. Perfectly pink, sweater-dress style with a bit of “tutu” material around the bottom…….and a big, classic yellow background Bat-symbol adorned in glitter.
Perfect.
And so it began, a few months before her 2nd birthday, Daddy-Daughter Batman Day and so it has been every couple of weeks since. I wear one of my numerous Batman teeshirts along with one of my favorite Batman hats, and her in her little pink outfit with pigtails. We rarely get icecream, but we do watch her favorite movies. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Mr. Peabody and Sherman and a seemingly unending huricane of Barney the Dinosaur.
She certainly doesn’t know who or what Batman is yet, but that will come in time. She might not fully appreciate or understand Batman the way I do, and I’m completely open to that. But sharing our passions with our kids is one of great importance as far as building your relationship over the years. The better they understand you, the better they bond with you, the closer you’ll become as the years go by.
My relationship between myself and my parents has always been also inclusive of being friends. We’ve always shared the the things we love. My Dad shared his music, and outdoor skills with me, I shared my Lego building with him. My Mom shared her music, around the house stuff and books with me, I shared my music, comic books, books in general and artistic expressions with her. We all lived together as one, and because of that (and a few other things) we are close friends today, and I can’t be more thankthful for it.
One day it is her destiny, as it was mine, to leave her parents’ house and start her own life. But heading out into the great unknown doesn’t mean you have to fully leave your past behind. And even though there have been extensive periods where I didn’t see or talk much to my folks, I still sew like create like my parents, listen to their music and giggle at all the times I sound exactly like them. They have always been my best friends, and the things they have taught me will stay with me forever.
Just so, would I like to be for my daughter. Whether she gets the same specifics from Batman that I do or not, (like his peserverence in rough situations, and willingness to put it all in to help the ones he loves) I hope that I can least set in the mindset to always be proud of the things she loves.
Be proud little girl. As your Mother always says and we both believe: You are Smart, You Are Strong and You are Beautiful.
And the Dark Knight is not one to fuck with.
-B.K.
@dadonthemic
@PBDadcast
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