I swear magic spilled out of my fingertips. One night in July of 2018, about an hour after my son fell asleep, my brain began swirling ideas. Reveling in the fact that I created a human and was crushing the single parent game, a book idea came to my mind.
The Adventure Awaits theme covered our walls. Maps, pictures from different adventures, and the below picture inspired the idea. What would one consider to be the biggest adventure? Being a superhero answered that question.
I realized I felt like a superhero. Being a CPS caseworker and a big sister provided limited insight into being a parent. At the end of the day, those children belonged to someone else, and I did very little “heavy lifting.” However, after having my son, something in me changed. I bet there is some sort of science behind the change, but something about being a mom caused an internal shift. I became inducted into a parent’s club where I suddenly held the secrets to parenting. I became a superhero.
I pulled out my only clipboard, bought on clearance when our local Office Depot closed, grabbed a handful of blank white paper and the closest writing utensil, which happened to be a blue sharpie, and began to write. I currently have three paper drafts tucked away, in my pink filing cabinet my mom gifted me for my birthday shortly after I wrote the draft. I told her I needed a safe place for my drafts, and she knew what to do! A neat, typed draft is also stored on my iPad, computer, and in an email folder. I made sure to have multiple drafts in case of emergency.
The outcome is a children’s book called “You Made Me a Superhero.” It is about how becoming a mom gave me superpowers. I hope to publish it with a character who looks like my son. I have sent it to numerous friends, coworkers, and friends of friends who considered completing the illustrations. It is still hanging out in all its numerous hiding spots until I figure out a plan for illustrations, but it is ready to be shared with the world once that is done!
Parenting is not easy. Like most superheroes, we do not have all the answers. We often wonder if we are doing the right thing or if our choices will screw our kids up. However, be mindful of all the things you have done for your child since they entered the world. You will be surprised by all the superpowers you did not notice you had all along!
Ariel Pierce 