During my first pregnancy, my sister sent me delightful care packages every trimester filled with thoughtful gifts for both me and my little one. When I opened the first box, my heart skipped a beat as I unveiled a tiny onesie. I had yet to acquire any baby clothes, and this one was absolutely perfect. It boasted the word “Muggle” emblazoned across the front.
I come from a long line of fangirls—okay, maybe not literally, but my passion for fandoms runs deep. Harry Potter, Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and more have shaped my identity, much like how other families bond over sports teams or alma maters. In our household, there’s an unspoken expectation that my children will learn every word of Broadway musicals and dive into the world of “The Boy Who Lived.”
My kids will grow up to be nerds, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! While some parents look forward to their child’s first sports game or bike ride, I eagerly await the day we can snuggle on the couch for their inaugural viewing of A New Hope. And no, we won’t be starting with Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Not under my roof!
Extravagant children’s birthday parties aren’t my style. They seem overly complicated and costly, involving too much cutting, gluing, and glitter. I prefer renting a party room where kids can run wild, devour pizza and cake, and leave without me lifting a finger. However, when my kids turn 11, I’m going all out with a Hogwarts letter, lightning bolts everywhere, and homemade butterbeer—until everyone is a little queasy!
What if my children decide they’re not into Harry Potter or Star Wars? Why even suggest such a thing? They can certainly have their own interests, but why would they want to when all the best adventures are right at their fingertips? Most of these stories have been turned into Lego video games, after all!
Each time I indulge in these stories, whether through books, movies, or music, I’m filled with happiness—except for Game of Thrones, which often leaves me feeling like a wreck. Yet I can’t resist its allure, even as beloved characters meet their untimely ends. That’s the kind of passion I hope to instill in my children about the art they cherish.
Though I’ve never been into sports, I believe my enthusiasm for fandoms is akin to the devotion many reserve for their favorite teams—only with lightsabers, which is obviously superior. The beauty of sharing this nerdy world with my kids is that it’s a collective experience. If one of them wants to dress as Luke Skywalker for Halloween, you can bet I’ll be Chewbacca and my partner will don Han Solo’s garb. The rise of nerd culture means there are countless family-friendly activities to enjoy together—Renaissance fairs, college quidditch matches, and even themed events on Disney cruises.
At just 4 years old, my eldest is still a tad young for many of the fandoms I adore. He gets scared easily and isn’t ready for Voldemort or rancor encounters just yet. But he’s already embracing the nerdy life with his Harry Potter-themed pants and enjoying snippets of the movies—especially if quidditch is involved. Plus, having the Hamilton soundtrack on repeat has started to pay off. Just recently, he climbed into bed with me while I was waking up and serenaded me with his favorite tunes. It melted my heart!
The camaraderie some families feel while sporting team colors and cheering for their athletes is what I envision for my family as we don our Hogwarts robes for our annual Harry Potter movie marathon or embark on a trip to the Wizarding World, all dressed in our house colors. I’ll be proudly representing Slytherin, my partner in Gryffindor, and our little ones in anything but Hufflepuff, because no child of mine will ever be a Hufflepuff!
As my children grow, our home will be filled with books, toys, lightsabers, and wands, and we will bond over our shared passions as a family of giant, happy dorks.
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Summary
This article celebrates the author’s enthusiasm for sharing her love of nerd culture with her children, envisioning a future where they bond over beloved stories and characters. With a humorous and warm approach, the author expresses her hopes for her kids to embrace their inner nerds alongside family traditions.