“Expelliarmus!” my seven-year-old exclaims, and his younger brother eagerly echoes, “Expelliarmus!” The two of them stand opposite each other, brandishing their imaginary wands and launching a flurry of pretend spells. While the five-year-old’s abilities are purely in the realm of imagination, the older one knows exactly how to wield his magic. Having absorbed all seven Harry Potter audiobooks and watched every film, he’s well-versed in the art of wizardry.
Typically, children around his age may only dive into the first or second book of the Harry Potter series. Critics often argue that the stories grow increasingly dark and complex, introducing themes like time travel, wizard imprisonment, and soul-sucking creatures—all by the third installment, Prisoner of Azkaban. The series continues to delve into heavier themes, with significant character losses starting in book four. These elements may raise eyebrows among parents when considering bedtime stories for their little ones.
However, we felt that Harry Potter was significant enough for our family to share, even if it meant exposing our son to a bit of wizardly peril. We began by reading the first book aloud, and he was instantly captivated: magical castles, three-headed dogs, and, of course, wands! We got him a Gryffindor robe and a plush snowy owl. For Halloween, he dressed as Harry, complete with a scar drawn in eyeliner and a wand, which he waved joyfully while casting spells.
Harry Potter sparked his imagination and continues to do so, all the way to the final book, where characters break out of a wizard bank riding a dragon and ultimately face Lord Voldemort. He’s constantly wearing his Gryffindor hat and scarf, proudly gifted by his father for Christmas. He’s even created his own spells, like “foglio,” which he claims casts a fog over someone’s head, making it hard for them to aim a jinx. When visiting friends, they often indulge in imaginative play centered around Harry Potter, even if the only “Death Eaters” around are younger siblings pretending to be pirates.
Beyond sparking imagination, our family car rides filled with Harry Potter audiobooks have led to meaningful discussions. We’ve explored themes of friendship through the dynamic between Harry, Hermione, and Ron—discussing their moments of support and conflict. We also tackled the complexities of authority figures, such as Dumbledore’s decision to prepare Harry for a challenging fate. Although my son grappled with the notion of sacrifice, we planted important seeds for understanding.
Harry Potter serves as a lens through which we can discuss various kinds of leadership, examining characters like Voldemort, Cornelius Fudge, and Dolores Umbridge. Each character embodies different aspects of power, allowing for rich discussions on morality and justice.
Our family further engages with this magical world by watching the movies, reading the books, and even playing with pretend wands. I sometimes wave mine and jokingly shout “Evanesco!” in hopes of inspiring them to tidy up their rooms. We often debate which Hogwarts house we belong to, with my middle child adamantly declaring himself a Slytherin. Just the other day, they built a Lego Hogwarts, complete with a potions lab and an astronomy tower, fueling their creativity even further.
Ultimately, Harry Potter has become a cherished family connection—a shared passion that fosters conversations, creativity, and bonding. Despite the loss of beloved characters along the way, the core message of triumph over evil resonates deeply with us. It’s a lesson I’m eager to pass down: good can prevail against all odds.
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In summary, exposing our child to the Harry Potter series has enriched our family conversations and imagination, making it a treasured part of our lives together.