Before you get alarmed, I am referring to a section of our DVD cupboard that the children are not allowed to watch.
I can tell I’ve alarmed you again. I am simply referring to a range of children’s DVDs that the children are not allowed to watch yet.
There is a debate raging in our household and Harry Potter is at the centre of the maelstrom. My 4 year old nephew has been allowed to watch the Harry Potter movies 1, 2 and 3, but my older children (aged 7 and 8) are not allowed to watch the third movie yet.
When I was a child, my parents firmly believed that what we watched on television or at the movies, would be internalised and would influence our emotional development.
It’s not a revolutionary or new theory and at the time I found the parental restrictions frustrating and often embarrassing. I think prohibiting me from watching Dirty Dancing at the cinema with my friends quickly demoted me from Nerd to Super Nerd and I have never really recovered socially.
But now I find myself worried about my children’s young minds (and I fear I am becoming just like my parents).
I love the Harry Potter books and the movies but I don’t think my children are ready for all of them. From Book 3 onwards, the books and the films become darker and sadder.
My 7 year old son is an avid reader. He’s reading Book 2 at the moment and whilst he might be able to “read” the later books I’m not entirely sure he will be able to understand them. Each child is different, I get that. As for the HP films, I feel there’s something more intrusive and frighteningly memorable about cinema. The children are young and if I don’t regulate them, they will be able to watch the films faster and earlier than they will read the books.
Top Comments
Skipping Nemo????? Seriously, I think we need to think less and enjoy watching shows with our children more. I am not talking about a family Tarantino night but E.T, yes it has sad and scary bits but what a friendship!! If you hide everything you miss out one some of the great movies. Never ending story, some scary bits but what you learn about the power of imagination!! I think that each child is different but don't let them miss out on some of the great messages that movies have, even the ones with death and darkness.
Hi Shankari mami...can you please buy me the Harry Potter Number 5 movie....i watched number 4 last night!!!
from your loving nephew!!!!