Here’s my kiddo reading to us on the dock.

As a parent (and a huge fan), I was really torn about how to approach Harry Potter with my kid. I wasn’t sure if he was too young for the stories or if I should make him read it himself or how far apart to space each book. I think each family is different on this (which is totally fine), but for us, I decided I would read him book 1 when he was five, book 2 when he was six and then he had to read the rest himself (but I would read them at the same time so we could talk about it all).

Also, I would read the first two to him to answer all the questions (What is a corridor? Why do they call a trashcan a bin? What is the boot of a car?), and then I also bought them on audiobook so he could listen and re-listen after (I find audiobooks to be better than screen time for this kiddo). And yeah, don’t talk to me about how much money I’ve given to JK Rowling.

Anyway, he loved the first book (obviously). And then when Covid hit and we were trapped at home, he was begging me to start the second book. So I gave in. But I held firm on the fact that if he wanted to proceed from there, HE ha to read the books (thinking that would put No. 3 off a year or two). Oh, how I was wrong.

This child read us the entire book 3 at the cabin last week. I was stunned. And then I realized if my own parents had issued a challenge like that, I too would have done it. I don’t like being told what I can and cannot do, and it looks like I passed that right down, didn’t I?

But don’t worry, no book 4 for us until next Christmas. I told him it’s just too scary, and I think after this one he agrees that maybe he should wait. Thank God.