Share Your Super Powers with Your Kids

This post was written by Creative QT Owner & Founder Adam Hinkle. Learn more about the Hinkle family and the heart behind Creative QT here.

As a parent, do you ever wish you could rip open your shirt to reveal a blue spandex costume with a huge 'S' emblazoned on your chest? Your kids would love that (you may get funny looks from the neighbors though).

We all wish we had some super power that would allow us to fly or turn invisible (not sure why those are always the top two). Our childhood dreams of doing amazing things and impressing others never quite go away, even when we have kids of our own.

The thing is, from our kids' perspective, we do have super powers. We know how to do things that are AMAZING by their standards. Superheroes are only amazing compared to normal people. So compared to what our kids know how to do, I'm not gonna lie, us parents are pretty kick butt!

This is a message for all of those parents who feel unsure of how to play with their kids. Sometimes it is tough to know how to get that special buzzing connection with them. You have an awesome, limited-time opportunity to share all of the things you learned in life with your children. My method of play is great quality time, and your kids will walk away more knowledgeable for it.

Here is what I am suggesting: when they are playing pretend, invite them to do the real thing. Most of these tasks are common to us, but are super to them! Here are a few examples:

• When your kid wants to pretend kitchen, ask them, “Do you want to bake something for real?”

• When your kid is playing with toy cars, you can ask, “Do you know how cars work?” then pop the hood on the family beater and explain how the engine makes it go.

• When your kids are playing with LEGO style building bricks (make them a LEGO table with Creative QT’s Peel ’n Stick baseplates...) ask them, “Do you want to build something for real?” Anything from a tree fort, to a dog house, to a plank they can walk on like a balance beam.

Kids love when you are able to take their creativity to the next level, and will be totally proud of whatever comes of it. Don’t underestimate this. When you do this, you are doing so much more than just showing off (although you do look pretty cool too). You are making time with them, letting them know that they are special, teaching them a new skill, earning your place as mentor… In short, you’re earning points toward that "parent of the year" award.

Whether it’s carpentry, calligraphy, baking, bowling, or just digging a really deep hole, I guarantee your kids will be amazed at what you know how to do, and they will be more than eager to learn how to do it themselves. To them, it will be like learning a super power!

So, pull open that shirt and show off your 'S.' You have way more super powers than you realize. Please share them with your kids who will no doubt are your biggest fans!

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Creative QT designs quality + innovative toys that declutter homes and inspire creative play. Founded by parents of five, Adam and Dana Sue Hinkle, Creative QT’s vision is to empower parents and encourage a culture of families that Make Time Together. All products are designed to enrich families’ lives through active, creative play and play based learning. Creative QT products are laboratory tested for compliance with CPSC requirements and are free of lead, cadmium and phthalates so you can play with confidence. So, go ahead … today is the day: be your kid’s hero.

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