I’m not a princess, a queen, or a beautiful forest fairy. I don’t host tea parties, rule over elegant soirees, or sprinkle magic fairy dust. No, none of those things. Nor am I the venomous spider with a black body and red markings; a spider that eats the male partner after mating. I am not the spin off from that spider known as a woman who seduces men to get what she wants and then leaves a trail from those men that she has been widowed from. Instead, I am a kick ass superhero known as an Avenger: Black Widow also known as Natasha Romanova.

Am I disappointed about the designation placed on me by my boys? Absolutely not, have you seen Scarlett Johansson in her role as Black Widow? Not to mention the general characteristics of Black Widow herself: expert spy, athlete, assassin, as well as being a strong and independent woman. So I am okay with my boys thinking I can fill the shoes of this strong and beautiful character.

Frequently we read a Marvel Avengers reading level 2 book called The Avengers Reading Adventures. As we come across a new page with Avengers’ character images my 3 year old labels them with our names. Mommy is Black Widow, daddy is Thor (score for me again), the 3 year old is either Captain America or Iron Man, and his brother is Hulk. I can assure you that with personalities like Captain America, Iron Man, and Hulk parenting in my house is challenging, and a woman like Black Widow is needed to keep those boys in line! Interesting family to say the least. We are our own little family of Incredibles.

Being Black Widow also means that when it comes to play time I have to be ready to run and fight. So, it can be an intense exercise program involving running, jumping, kicking and punching (invisible villains of course), and occasionally rolling and climbing depending on our location (there have been some interesting visits to the park). Being a mom to superhero loving boys has taken me to some new places and dictated some interesting roles.

How about you, any superhero stories? Do you have a favourite superhero?

By Shari Marshall – April 3, 2017