When I was pregnant with my first child, my sister surprised me with thoughtful care packages throughout my pregnancy. Each trimester brought a new box filled with gifts meant for both me and my baby. As I eagerly opened the first package, I let out a squeal of delight when I discovered a tiny onesie that read “Muggle” across the front. It was the perfect addition to my baby’s wardrobe.
I proudly embrace my identity as a fangirl—just as my mother did, and perhaps even my grandmother (though I can’t say for certain). I am deeply passionate about franchises like Harry Potter, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and the Lord of the Rings. While some families have a legacy of sports teams or university affiliations, our household is built on a love for musicals and the adventures of “The Boy Who Lived.”
My children are destined to grow into enthusiastic nerds, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
While some parents may anticipate milestones like their child’s first bike ride or tee-ball game, I’m eagerly counting down the days until we can settle in for a family movie night featuring A New Hope. And no, we won’t be starting with Episode I – The Phantom Menace. That’s a firm rule in our home!
I’m not a fan of over-the-top birthday parties for kids. They seem like an exhausting endeavor with too much fuss and expense involved. Instead, I prefer simple gatherings where kids can play, enjoy pizza and cake, and we can leave without any cleanup. But when each of my kids turns 11, I plan to pull out all the stops—a letter from Hogwarts, decorations with lightning bolts, and homemade butterbeer that will have everyone laughing until they’re sick.
What if my children decide they don’t want to read Harry Potter, watch Star Wars, or belt out every song from Hamilton? The thought is almost too much for me to bear! They can certainly have their own interests, but they’d be missing out on the best of what’s out there. After all, many of these beloved stories have been transformed into engaging Lego video games!
As I immerse myself in these tales, whether I’m reading books, watching films, or listening to soundtracks, my heart is filled with joy. Except for Game of Thrones, which often leaves me feeling down as my favorite characters face tragic fates. Yet, I can’t resist the gripping narratives and intricate worlds. That’s the kind of passion I hope to instill in my children about the art they choose to love.
Though I’ve never been particularly drawn to sports, I imagine my devotion mirrors the excitement that sports fans feel for their teams. But, of course, my version features lightsabers and epic battles.
Indoctrinating my children into the world of fandom is truly a family affair. If one of my kids decides to dress up as Luke Skywalker for Halloween, you can bet I’ll be Chewbacca and my partner will don a Han Solo costume. Nerd culture has become so mainstream that there are countless family-friendly events to enjoy together—like Renaissance fairs or campus quidditch matches. Even Disney cruises host special Star Wars days!
At just four years old, my eldest is still too young for many of the stories I want to share, but that doesn’t mean he’s excluded from the fun. He has adorable lightning bolt pants he refers to as his “Harry Potter pants,” and he enjoys watching clips from the films, particularly those featuring quidditch. Plus, my decision to play the Hamilton soundtrack during our daily routines is paying off; just the other day, he climbed into bed and serenaded me with his favorite tunes. It was a heartwarming moment that left me in awe.
The camaraderie that families experience when they rally behind sports teams is the same connection I envision for my family as we don our Hogwarts robes for our annual marathon of all eight Harry Potter films, or as we embark on a trip to the Wizarding World, proudly sporting our house colors—me as Slytherin, my partner as Gryffindor, and our children in anything but Hufflepuff, because no child of mine will ever be a Hufflepuff!
As they grow, my kids will be surrounded by books, toys, lightsabers, and wands, and we will bond over these shared passions as a family of enthusiastic nerds.
In summary, I am committed to fostering a love of fandom in my children, sharing cherished stories and traditions as we navigate life together. For more insights on home insemination, you can check out this article, and if you’re looking for ways to boost fertility, consider visiting Make a Mom. Additionally, UCSF offers excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.