In full Spiderman costume Declan danced around me, a damsel in distress, warding off my attackers.
“I’ll get them! Go away you bad guys!”
“Oh, thank you, Spiderman! I am so very grateful for you!”
Spider Declan continued his affront, jumping left and right, air webs flying as a soccer ball rolled by.
I turned my head to see a man come walking towards us to retrieve his ball.
“Declan,” I interjected, “Can you grab that soccer ball and give it to this gentleman?”
Declan’s hands stayed in web throwing position as his arms lowered, looking for the soccer ball in question.
“Oh! Sure!” Declan offered, bounded to the ball and ran it to the man.
“Thank you, friendly neighborhood Spiderman!” The man called, “You saved the day!”
I smiled as the person waved and walked away, and offered a thumbs up. Declan came running over and hid behind a pole.
As he took his mask off, I could see he was smiling and giggling.
“Mom!”
“What?” I asked questioningly.
“He ACTUALLY thought I was SPIDERMAN!” Declan laughed. His eyes widened as he gushed, “I’M SPIDERMAN NOW!”
Declan put his mask back on, laughing and shooting webs of joy.
Before Halloween I wondered what Declan would return his focus on after his holiday of horror passed. Turns out he has returned to an old love. Spiderman.
If the TV is on, a Spiderman movie is on. If YouTube is being watched, he is watching other kids dress up as Spiderman to play.
Declan has begun scripting the movies. After watching Spider-Man with Tobey Maguire, Declan fashioned his own costume as “the human spider.”
When Declan and I play, we are reenacting YouTube videos. Since Declan has learned to cast the videos to our TV, I’ve seen a few and know what I am supposed to do.
Sad to say play on the street has come to a halt. With frequent issues with the neighborhood children, he and I have returned to our old faithful playgrounds.
Declan and I both have accepted this change very well. Some kids just don’t get along. When we returned to our favorite playground from days of yore, I must say, I got a little nostalgic and happy to see such a familiar place. Declan did to.
When we were at the playground, I remembered it was not just Declan’s social issues that brought us to this place to play. Catelyn struggled for years to play on the street. BIG reactions, BIG tears, BIG problems led to the kids staring at her while I scraped her off the street and got her into our house.
The costumes may be a bit smaller. The spider toys the kids in the neighborhood called “baby toys” are happily worn as a little boy sails through the grounds saving all the world.
Spiderman. The playground. I’ve returned to areas of comfort. So has Declan.
Good old Spidey. I loved the way you talk about you both returning to areas of comfort. That’s so often us. Sometimes it’s more comforting for the parent than the child. I picked him up from school today and while the other kids headed in one direction to the fields we headed in the other direction for an ice cream and a usually deserted play ground. How would Declan react if you turned up in costume as well. I suspect I would get a good telling off.
I think if I showed up at his school as Spiderman he would definitely be surprised! I think he would love it though at a playground……maybe 🙂
Yay for SpiderDeclan!🕸
Ben cant decide who he wants to be… Jack Skellington from Nightmare before Christmas, “V” from V for Vendetta or a new one I’m learning… The PJ Masks- Owlette, Gecko & Catboy. I never get my lines right☹
I’m much happier singing “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” from Mary Poppins. Or “I Just Want To Celebrate” from Penguins of Madagascar (which in Ben language sounds like “I’m just calling celery”)🤣
Oh, that’s funny! 🙂 I was so out of my element with all the horror stuff and frustrated with street play. Seeing Spiderman come back in full force, happily playing at our playground….aaaaaaahhhhhh, I’m lovin’ it! 🙂
And that’s exactly what you both needed. He looks so happy.
You’re right – we did both need this change of scenery. Fit perfectly! He was soooo happy 🙂 Me too!
That’s what I love.
There is no harm in going back to familiar territory. It looks like it is working for you and for Declan. On a side note our Gransdon who is 5 was Spiderman for Halloween. Our daughter sent us a video of him in his costume and she asked him what he was going to be doing. “Protecting the neighbourhood” he replied. 😊
Oh, that is great 🙂 Declan was Spiderman for the past 5 years. I was so surprised he switched up his costume this year (and so happy he went back). I love your grandson’s reply – awesome little Spiderman! 🙂
Ugh how I hate Tobey Maguire as Spiderman. I have no idea how that ever happened.
I never realized it when I watched it the first time (at the theaters) but holy cow! You are right. I am watching this movie again with Declan and just see bland.
He is growing fast. Can I ask, has Declan been the most challenging of your three children? X
Autism was so unfamiliar to me so I was definitely challenged in how to help him, that’s for sure! And at one time, he took all my focus. But now I would say each of the kids give me their share of challenges, but their challenges are different. X
❤️
Loved this post Robyn! Baby steps.
Thank you, Joy!
Declan looks fantastic in his costume, Robyn. And I’m glad you both found the trip to the playground therapeutic. There’s nothing like returning to something familiar to help us feel grounded and settled. Sometimes, in order to move forwards, we have to go back. 🙂 <3
Thank you so much, Alli! I think you’re right. And I really liked taking this step back with him 🙂
Going back – especially in a family context – is important sometimes. I’ve been there too. 🙂