“Hogwarts” has become a favorite term in our household, thanks to our 7-year-old, Sam, who loves to immerse himself in the enchanting world of magic. “Expelliarmus!” he exclaims, with his 5-year-old brother, Leo, eagerly echoing the spell as they duel with imaginary wands. While Leo’s curses may just be products of his imagination, Sam knows all about the spells because he has listened to every Harry Potter book and has watched all the films.
Typically, children Sam’s age might only skim the surface of the Harry Potter series, perhaps reading the first book or two. Many argue that the subsequent books delve into darker themes and complex narratives: time-turners, creatures that prey on souls, and the reality of wizarding prison. By the fourth installment, significant character losses begin to make their mark, and the series tackles daunting concepts such as true evil and loss, which aren’t typical bedtime stories for young kids.
However, we decided to embrace the Harry Potter journey as a family. The magic of the series is something we hold dear, and we wanted our children to experience it, even if it meant facing some of its more intense moments. We began our adventure by reading the first book aloud, and it was a hit! Sam was captivated by the wizards, the magical castle, and the three-headed dog. So much so that we even bought him a Gryffindor robe and a plush snowy owl. For Halloween, he dressed up as Harry, complete with a wand, which quickly became his prized possession.
Harry Potter ignited Sam’s imagination, and his enthusiasm only grew as we journeyed through all seven books—spoiler alert—culminating in a thrilling escape from Gringotts on the back of a dragon and the ultimate defeat of Voldemort. Sam often dons his Gryffindor hat and scarf, proudly crafted by his father as a Christmas gift. He’s even concocted his own spells, like “foglio,” which is intended to cast a fog around someone’s head, rendering them unable to aim a jinx. When he visits friends, they bring the world of Harry Potter to life, even if it means enlisting their younger siblings as makeshift Death Eaters.
Beyond stimulating imaginative play, Harry Potter has opened the door to meaningful discussions. Listening together in the car has led us to explore themes of friendship, loyalty, and the complexities of relationships among Harry, Hermione, and Ron. We often analyze their actions, questioning what Ron should have done when Harry’s name unexpectedly emerged from the Goblet of Fire or how they should have treated Hermione.
It also prompted conversations about authority figures and the imperfections in their decisions. Dumbledore’s mentorship of Harry, knowing he would ultimately face death for a greater cause, sparked debates in our family about the morality of such choices. Although Sam initially struggled with the notion of sacrifice, we took the opportunity to plant the seeds of critical thinking. The character of Dolores Umbridge served as a powerful reminder that authority does not equate to righteousness.
In many ways, the Harry Potter series reflects a struggle against various forms of authoritarianism: Voldemort’s pureblood supremacy, Cornelius Fudge’s incompetence, and Umbridge’s oppressive regime. The layers of lessons are plentiful, depending on one’s interpretation and engagement with the text.
So, we continue to watch the films, read the books, and even wield our wands—often humorously casting spells like “Evanesco!” to encourage tidying up. We enjoy playful debates over which Hogwarts house each of us belongs to (Sam is adamant he’s a Slytherin), and they’ve even built their own Lego Hogwarts, complete with a potions lab and astronomy tower.
Ultimately, Harry Potter has become a cherished family tradition, providing us with shared experiences. While we may have lost some beloved characters along the way, we celebrate the triumph of good over evil. The series embodies a lesson we hope to pass down to our children: that in the end, courage and friendship prevail.
For more insights on family-friendly topics, check out our other posts, like this one about family bonding through shared interests. For those researching home insemination, Make a Mom offers comprehensive resources, while WomensHealth.gov provides valuable information on pregnancy and related topics.
Summary
This article discusses how a family embraced the Harry Potter series, allowing their 7-year-old to dive into the magical world while also fostering important conversations about friendship, authority, and morality. The series has not only sparked imaginative play but has also become a cherished bonding experience for the family.