To think it would be ok to take my 4 yr old to see HP7

[Clarence15]

I'm not sure if this is normal but my 4yr old son (along with my 9yr old dd) LOVES the Harry Potter films and has watched them all so far (on DVD) Dh, dd and I really want to watch the final film at the cinema but don't really have anyone we could leave ds with. Even if we did we'd have to keep it secret!

AIBU to think I could take him too? It's a 12A so in theory I could, but although he loves the films there will undoubtably be parts where he'll be asking what's going on or wanting to go to the loo - is this likely to upset the die-hard HP fans?

yes mine won''t be watching it - he's 5.5 have stopped his dr who as well as it's too dark at times for him.

agree with sausage.

Also know things play on my ds's mind for a few nights - hence stopping the dr who as he was having trouble sleeping cos of ghosts & monsters. i'm inclined to say you kno your child but from the trailers i deffo don't think it's suitable for a 4 yo.

Yes having put my (normally quite sensible) head back on I KNOW it's not suitable for him and tbh we do fast forward bits or he goes wandering off when they're on at home so there's no way he'd be able to watch it in the cinema.

I know a lot of people are judging me on this, and calling me an irresponsible parent etc, but I feel I need to point out that I don't go letting him watch any old thing he likes. HP is the ONLY 12 film I've let him watch, normally he's into the usual Toy Story, Noddy etc. It's only really because dd who's 9 likes it and is reading the books that I've let him watch any at all.

I realise the age rating is there for a reason and if he ends up emotionally troubled by these films then I do take full responsibility but I do feel that he knows real from fantasy and he's a very normal, rounded boy. I want anyone else who posts to read this as recent posters are still jumping on me and making me out to be some kind of idiot mother. I'm not taking him to the cinema, I'll let him watch it on DVD if he wants to and we'll fast forward anything unsuitable.

I do think you have to make a judgement based on your own child and as we know they're all different. I used to get raised eyebrows from people in the park when I let him go up the slide on his own quite early on, but he's a very active, coordinated little boy and he likes to climb, jump, balance and all the rest. He rode his bike early, he plays football. He's starting to read and write and he loves to paint. He doesn't sit at home watching slash horror movies.

I hope I've gone some way to justifying my original question and I appreciate that I am on the wrong.

Fair enough Clarence.

FWIW, I realise you decided against taking him several days ago, and good on you for thinking about it, but there are still some posters who think it is OK.

Obviously it is their child but surely there are limits to what is appropriate for any small child and if a film is not deemed suitable for anybody under 12 without having a parent with them then I think that says something about the film and also about the lower limit of the age for which is really appropriate. That isn't about what you are allowed to do but what it is right to do - the two aren't the same thing. Perhaps on the 12A classification it would be good to ban children under the age of 7 or something.

And again FWIW, I think watching it on DVD is sufficient compromise, especially if you have seen it first and can judge what really is appropriate. I think where you watch it is important - cinema is a bit of an all or nothing situation. You either watch the film, on a huge screen, in the dark, very loud with nowhere to go for respite if it gets hairy or you leave and miss the lot. You have control with the DVD and that is important.

And I agree that some people want their DC to grow up too quickly - I have a friend to whom film classifications mean nothing and she visibly gloats at what her children have watched whilst saying it is too scary/violent/rude for children like mine. V odd.

Clarence, I don't think the later posters are coming on judging you - more the people who've added in since saying "I don't see what the problem is".

I think you've made a good call in changing your mind, and tbh you were responsible enough to ponder the question first anyway, which is more than many people.

No Clarence - I do not think badly of you. This thread has become more of a discussion about the whole subject. It's an interesting one.