We've all heard that it's hard trying to be a Supermom. Sure it is. But I decided to take it a different way. If I've got to be Supermom, well then, I want parenting advice from superheroes. Here's the parenting advice I've gleaned from superhero movies, and how I've applied it lately. "You've got me – who's got you?" Lois Lane in Superman Canadian Margot Kidder provided one of the memorable quotes for the Christopher Reeve 1978 Superman movie. It's a fun scene where Superman catches Lois, just like we'd all like to catch our kids in time when they fall down on the road to maturity. But her point is well taken: As moms we need our own support networks in place! (Here's how to find other moms near you.)


"With great power comes great responsibility." -Ben Parker in Spider-Man This is great scene just for the lecture Ben Parker gives Peter Parker on the teen years being the time you decide what kind of person you're going to become. (And here's how to be your kids' courage coach.) But the same can be true in parenting. While my kids are small, at least, I am a big person in their world, and I don't always have to assert that to get things done.


"Red means stop." Hellboy in, well, Hellboy When you set a limit, you have to follow through with it – immediately. This is also known as "get off your butt" parenting. (Here's how to raise a fearless child - and set limits too.)


"No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again." Even being Supermom means messes are going to happen, and books are going to get overdue at the library from time to time, and…you just save the world. Again. And again. (Get organized!) - Mr. Incredible in The Incredibles


"Because some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn." This describes my toddler when he's tired out. There is no sense in negotiating, offering distractions, or applying any parenting techniques that involve words. He just needs to be removed from whatever the situation is, held or not-held as his mood strikes, and gotten to bed as soon as possible. (Here's how to handle the stress of having a toddler!) - Alfred in The Dark Knight


Also, I want an Alfred to clean up my house and bring me tea.