Who says costumes are just for Halloween?
Kids have always loved to dress up, and frankly, so have a lot of adults.  For many kids and adults one Halloween day a year is hardly enough to satisfy one’s urge to hide behind makeup or a mask and take on the attributes of another person (or creature).  Nothing wipes away inhibitions faster than dressing up and seeing the world through different eyes.  When you are in costume, there’s an energy derived from the way others treat you.  They don’t treat you as yourself, but rather, they treat you as the person or thing your costume represents.  It is a vicarious thrill we learn as kids and (if we let ourselves) continue to enjoy, on occasion, as adults.  Of course as a parent, you can always use your kids as an excuse to unleash your inner character (as this super dad did).
Recently I attended the Florida SUPERCON, and while not as big as the famed San Diego COMIC-CON, I got to enjoy seeing quite a few kids (and parents) in costume.  I wonder which of these parents dressed their kids up and dragged them along only so THEY could break out their inner superhero…
Are costumes just for Halloween in your household, or do you and your kids enjoy some off season Cos-Play??? Â Please add links to pictures of you and your kids in costume in the comments!
Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 24, Ethan, 22 and Olivia, 20).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads and Wunderkind! podcasts.
#
Cosplay is definitely “in play” at our house. The Boy (currently age 15) wore his Legend of Zelda Link costume the first day of high school. We’re still not entirely certain how well that worked out. But hey, he had a girlfriend by the end of the school year, so it couldn’t have gone that badly.Â
I’m a big proponent of letting your geek flag fly. It wards off people who’ll only dump you when you finally decide to be yourself, and it attracts the people who’ll appreciate your unique charm.Â
#
Ha. Thanks Kat. Â Love it. Â Yes if there was ever a time to celebrate (or even flaunt) individuality it is now. Â Good for The Boy! Â