Harry potter

[singlewith2boys]

hi my son's school has started a Harry potter group during lunch time once a week my mum doesn't like the idea of it as it's in couraging an obsession on possible witch craft and mixing with different religions. Today my son came home with a wand he had made out of a very thin piece of wood he was waving it around and could have hurt somone with it. could i have your views on this and do any other schools have a harry potter group?

It’s fun. It’s a story book/ film franchise ... if it encouraged ‘witchcraft’ ( which by the way doesn’t exist ) then half the worlds population would be flying around on brooms.

Most uk universities have Harry Potter societies and quidditch teams ( arguably the latter is stupid) and the British Library currently has an exhibit on it.

I’ve seen quiddich played in Clapham Common.

I don't have a problem with him going to the group it's my mum who has the problem and as my mum has helped me raise the boys for the last 6yrs (there dad did a runner on us) I have to listen to her worries about the boys too. I like what is said about star wars i will ask her tomorrow but she will probably say she wouldn't like that as it's to do with weapons and fighting

It's fiction, it's not real.

I'm a Hufflepuff btw.

She is being silly and over dramatic. There just tell her that.

I ran a HP themed Brownie Holiday a couple of years back and as far as I'm aware none of the girls became Satanists or became lost in a world of fantasy.

Your son's lunch club sounds like a fun themed club: read the books with him and he'll no more of the plot than his friends!

It’s not real and it’s not witchcraft.... don’t worry so much and let your son enjoy the club 😁

It sounds fab. I'm jealous of the club I'd love to be in it 😀
Are you in America OP? There does seem to be some odd views about HP and witchcraft there but honestly I think you should tell your mum to keep her opinions to herself and let your son enjoy the magical world JK Rowling created

Ah.

My DD is obsessed with HP wands (she’s got several, she keeps them on stands and looks at them purely as trophies from the film).

DS is obsessed with Star Wars light sabres (he’s got several, he covets them and also treats them purely as trophies from the film).

In the context of a small child’s mind and perception of both such items, I’m struggling to see the issue.

Your children, your rules, your decisions. I think it's fantastic the school is offering such fun opportunities, let the children embrace it. They grow up too quickly!

Harry Potter has had the single biggest effect on boosting literacy, particularly amongst boys, in the entire history of ready access to the written word.

I think that can only be celebrated and applauded.

Harry Potter club sounds amazing!!

I'd bloody love a Harry Potter group and I'd volunteer to be in it. School sounds awesome

Your mums massively over reacting

I am sure that the teachers at Hogwarts school would like to point out that their pupils are taught 'Defence against the Dark Arts' The sort of witchcraft that your mother seems to be concerned about would count as one of these Dark Arts and the pupils are specifically taught how to overcome them, so there is really no need to worry.

The group sounds fun and your mum sounds like a closed minded nutcase with barely concealed racism

she is far from racist she is friends with people from all parts of the world and she is also very open minded maybe a slight nut case but not the others. when I joined mumsnet I didn't expect parents to Slag my mother or myself off i simply asked a simple question not for people to judge what my mother or myself are like!!!!

I wanna go to HP club too!

You sound rational

Maybe leave this sort of thing for your child's teachers to decide. They're educated people.

Our church had a quidditch match.... we aren’t satanists.

She may in all honesty have a point with the wand. Home made toys aren't likely to be as safe as ones that comply to current toy manufacture standards. They are probably on a par with sticks in the park i.e. Some caution needed (not much)

Harry Potter is absolutely nothing to worry about in terms of threat to religious belief (the people most likely to object should be very staunch atheists in fact though I don't know many who do). I know what it is like to be concerned if you don't know the books though. I took a while to be convinced and only really "got" HP about halfway through the third book. Since then I love them with a passion.

I would definitely recommend your mum read them if she hasn't. It might put her mind to rest. Plus they are brilliant reads

Think the whole point of Harry Potter is that magic doesnt solve real human problems. I mean the basic theme is that the most important powers are Love and friendship!!