A Family Comic Con Top 10

1. Blame it on your kids. You can totally roll your eyes when you tell people you are heading to Comic Con and make a big deal about the things you do to make your kids happy. You are under no obligation to share that you think seeing the real superman, one of the heart throbs from old favorite 90210, the man behind Kung Fu panda’s Mr. Ping, and the nerdy kid from Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club would be a little bit cool.

2. Do not bring a stroller. Don’t even think about it. If you have one young enough not to be able to walk around all day (or one crazy enough to bolt and try to join the circus), strap that kid to you. Maybe you can get creative and make that child wearing part of some superhero get up. I tried (picture wristbands and a cape on the hip carrier). Mark said I looked ridiculous. I wore the wristbands for most of the day regardless. I’m so on the in.

3. Do bring a camera. And, prepare yourself to take pretty much the same picture of your children over and over again with different characters–most of whom are just normal people coming for the convention who love having their picture taken.

3. Ask before taking a picture. Minimize risk by trying to make sure that the person you are asking is actually wearing a costume.

4. Hang out near the bathrooms and exits. Seeing Captain America coming out of using the facilities or a villain texting can provide a good bit of amusement for children and adults alike.

5. Prepare yourself for a lot of “What’s that?” questions. Over and over and over again.

9. Be prepared to lose someone. Comic Con can be a long day. By the afternoon, we think a stormblaster got her.

10. Go home thankful.