For the last couple of months my four and a half year old son has been obsessed with superheroes. You can''t blame him, they are everywhere from toys and clothing to sweet packets. Kids talk at school etc and it seems to be the in thing at the moment. I have always been extremely strict with what my son watches and how long he is allowed to sit and watch t.v. We don''t have DSTV at home so our viewing options are very limited and controlled. Long story short, I could no longer avoid the interest my son began showing towards superheroes and the questions where to much. I decided to go out and buy him an animated DVD of superman and co and he absolutely loves it. I have sat with him and watched the episodes. Explained to him what it really means to be a hero. I will not tolerate aggressive behavior whether it be hurting another child/adult or deliberately breaking toys. Because superheroes are all my son wants to talk about I make a point on reminding him how kindness can make you a hero, I talk about police and paramedics being heroes etc, etc.
As I said at the moment, being a hero is a huge thing to my son. He admires superman and batman etc. I have let it be and let him enjoy this new big boy craze but yesterday I was crushed when I found out his teacher had told him that superheroes don''t exist.
I feel children have such a short time to believe in make believe and to live in a magical world that I really don''t see a problem in believing provided they are not going to come to harm or harm others. I have made it quite clear he does not have super powers and can never jump off a roof or similar.
I now have the dilemma do I tell him they are not real or do I let him believe for a little while longer.
I want to have a talk to his teacher but I don''t know if I making a big thing out of nothing but I really believe it is my place to say what my child should and should not believe in?
What do you think?