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AIBU?

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Ex Letting DS6 Watch Harry Potter

103 replies

Lestranged · 25/11/2025 10:14

Name changed as if the ex (or anyone IRL) sees this it will be outing and I don't want it connected to previous threads.

Ex and I divorced around 2.5 years ago and DS6 is now with her EOW during term time, 50/50 over school holidays.

Ex has read Harry Potter to DS from a young age, but only the first three books. We agreed around a year ago that DS was okay to watch the first three films. I was less keen because I thought it would lead to him wanting to watch the later films which in my opinion are not suitable for young children.

DS was with Ex over the weekend and casually mentioned that he has now watched all of the Harry Potter films. I assumed he was either mistaken or lying so I asked Ex (we have a generally amicable and good co-parenting relationship). It turns out that Ex has let DS watch ALL of the films including the two Deathly Hallows.

For context, DS currently seems fine but has recently been prone to nightmares and I have only managed to get him back to sleeping in his own bed in the last couple of months. I watched Home Alone with him last weekend and he was scared by some elements of that.

I know there is nothing I can do about it, but I am really angry with Ex for doing this. I guess I just want to see what other MNetters think about it and what (if anything) I should do or say.

YABU - it is fine for DS to have watched this and I am overreacting
YANBU - no parent in their right mind would have allowed a 6YO to watch these films

OP posts:
Lestranged · 25/11/2025 10:26

@Swissmeringue Thank you - you do sound like you are of sound mind! Glad I asked!

OP posts:
Giraffemug30 · 25/11/2025 10:25

I think it's fine tbh. It'd just Harry Potter, yes the last 2 films are a bit dark but many 6yos would be fine watching them

Presumably she watched them incrementally and saw how he managed with the previous ones.

Swissmeringue · 25/11/2025 10:20

It depends on the individual child of course but my 7 year old has had all all the books read to her, has watched all the films and is currently reading the books to herself, she's on the chamber of secrets. She's never seemed overwhelmed or scared.

I'm pretty sure I'm in my right mind, as are all her friends parents who have also let their kids watch the films.

Tbh my main objection would be him watching the films before reading the books, always read the books first!

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