DD mimicking Horrid Henry?

[marykat2004]

I wasn't aware of Horrid Henry until 5 year old DD chose the video from the library on Saturday. She that they "have it at school." DH has watched it with her (though I have not) and said it glorifies bad behaviour. Over the weekend DD's own behaviour has been appalling. She has been very testing lately anyway, refusing to do anything she is told to do, and last night even stated that Horrid Henry's room is mess, therefore it's ok to have a messy room.

I searched musmnet topics and found an older discussion. Just reading the first page, I found most parents in favour of or at least neutral about Horrid Henry. Are there any other opinions?

Here is that older thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=8&threadid=215592&stamp=061001194606

i'm with you, i hate horrid henry books, i can't believe they have them in schools, there's another one also, a princess? anyway i agree and dd has only read a few but i always say as i am reading them to her 'isn't he naughty' or 'he's not being very good is he' 'its a good job you're a good girl dd, mummy would be sad if you behaved like that'

see it as an excuse to point out bad behaviour

link doesn't work btw

My dd brought home a couple of the books from school. Her behaviour became intolerable. I am normally pretty laid back, but she was being a nightmare. HH is banned in this house along with Junie B Jones. Once your DC starts to call you a dumb bunny it is time to start controlling what they see/watch. I know a couple of other mum's who share my dislike of, HH for the Brits and JBJ for the Americans, these are in the main mums of girls. Perhaps boys really do behave like him.

Thank your lucky stars she isn't into Tracy Beaker

Check HER out for all-round, bad attitude and gobbiness

I think the books are fairly harmless and funny, provided you do point out how awful Horrid Henry's behaviour is, and how unfunny it would be to behave like that in real life. My ds1 loved the books for a while ("Horrid Henry's Underpants" is particularly funny...) and did mimic the behaviour for a while, which was quite annoying in public, but it certainly hasn't affected his behaviour in the long term, and was a good opportunity to talk about unacceptable behaviour and people who never think about other peoples' feelings!!! The books are far better than the cartoon and they do make me laugh...

Mine did this, but it wore off fairly quickly. I don't really like Horrid Henry books, but the benefit of them enjoying a book outways the short term behaviour issues IMHO.

Agree with RabbitStew

Mine used to love HH. I never minded him (books or TV show) as he always gets his just desserts! He never gets away with his behaviour. Actually I find Perfect Peter to be more annoying than Henry.

Tracy Beaker is also loved in this house and I agree her attitude stinks, but it's not affected my kids. I find the worst programmes are those awful Disney things like Zac and Cody etc where the kids really are rude to adults but the adults seem accepting of it.

Agree Perfect Peter is very irritating

DD isn't quite reading yet so I am referring to the TV programme or DVD. If something gets kids reading than of course that is a good thing.

thanks for your replies. Maybe it will "wear off". Once you ban or restrict something it only makes kids want it more. Especially my DD who will always do the opposite of what she is told.

My DC (7 & 5) love the books, and quite like the tv show. However, we have had to ban them watching the show or being read the books when their 3 year old sister is around, as she just doesn't "get it" that the behavior is funny because no one would really ever talk or act like that. she said to DH once
"Shut up, worm!" - hence the rule!

Tracy Beaker's fine in the books - yes, she's mouthy, and can even be a bully, but it's very clear why she behaves in this way. In the TV series she's just horrible.

There have always been badly behaved children in books. See Just William, for example. Kids like their anarchy. And they get reading because of them.

DD hasn't read the TB books - she's only 6

Agree her attitude stinks on TV. Which is why I think it's important to discuss alongside it why she's behaving in that way. Because at 6, DD won't pick up on it really. But if we have a discussion about it, she does get it

Tracy Beaker is another on the banned list. She is allowed to read the books (luckily we have no issues with her reading apart from the cost of the books), dd is not allowed to watch her on the telly though. DD idolises TB and adores Dani Harmer, she wants to write to her for her autograph.