As my son grows older, I'm getting more and more excited to introduce him to the things that his dad and I enjoy. Of course, we want him to make up his own mind and discover his own passions, but that doesn't mean I can't hope that we'll eventually have some interests in common. And by "some interests", I mean The Most Important Interest Ever, aka, Harry Potter. No pressure, son, but I'm already raising a Harry Potter fan, whether you know it or not.
OK, but seriously, if he doesn't go for it then he doesn't go for it and that's fine. Though the initial sting might feel worse than a dementor's kiss, I know that eventually I'll be just fine with with the fact that my son clearly has no taste, and I'll go on to support his other (lame, boring) interests. But the fact remains that we won't actually know for a few years, so in the meantime I'm able to put HP references aplenty into my parenting, while also dreaming and filling my head with visions of my son and I reading the books and watching the movies together. And, like Dumbledore says, just because something's happening in your head, "why on Earth should that mean it's not real?" Good question, Professor. Here's a bit more about what parenting under the influence of Butterbeer looks like:
You Somehow Think Baby Talk Sounds Like Spells
I mean, doesn't every baby go from "mama" and "dada" straight to "alohamora" and "lumos maxima"?
Your Kids Start Cosplaying Very, Very Early
In some cases, I'm talking "lightning bolt drawn on pregnant belly" early.
You Say Things Like "Accio Pacifier" When Things Fall Behind The Crib
It's worth a try, right? (Wait, don't answer that.)
You Call Everything A "Wand"
And by "everything," I mean markers and sticks, which are pretty much the only long and skinny items my toddler has access to.
Speaking Of Wands, You Take Photos Like This One
He's definitely attempting a spell to help the grass grow. So proud.
Or This One
OMG YOU GUYS IT WORKED.
You Look Into Ways To Put Your Kid On A Hogwarts Waiting List
We've got a few years until he's the requisite 11 years old, so surely by then someone will have something ready for Muggles, right?
Instead Of Lullabies, You Hum The Movie Score
Is it so wrong that I want my song to grow up knowing and loving the classics?
You've Seriously Wondered What Your Child's Patronus Would Be
Baby elephant, if I had to guess.
And What House He Or She Would Be In
Gryffindor, obvi.
You Wish You Could Use Spells To Deal With The Messy Parts Of Parenthood
I mean, it's not that I don't love dirty diapers and sticky high chairs, its just that I'd rather spend more time studying herbology or potions.
While Other Families Plan Trips To Disneyland, You Have Something Else In Mind
Technically, it's The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. But still, traveling to the Quidditch World Cup by portkey would be pretty amazing, too.
Your Partner Has Grown Weary Of Your Tendency To Quote The Books And Films
I imagine it's only a precursor to my son's teenage years, but whatever, I don't care.
You're Excited For The Day Your Child Is Old Enough To Safely Wear Scarves
As a New Year's resolution, I'm seriously considering taking up knitting. So no worries guys, I've so got this covered.
Having A Kid Has Made You Slightly More Sensitive To Some Of The Darker Parts Of The Story
I'm now haunted by the image Cedric's dad at the end of Goblet of Fire.
The Books Are Already Sitting On Your Kid's Shelf, And He Doesn't Yet Know The ABCs
No pressure. We just like to be as prepared as Hermione when she was at her readiness peak in Deathly Hallows.
Images: Dena Ogden(3); Giphy(13)
