During my first pregnancy, my uncle sent me delightful care packages every trimester, each filled with thoughtful surprises for both me and the baby. When I opened the first box, I let out a squeal at the sight of a tiny onesie. It was the perfect addition to my baby’s wardrobe. The shirt read “Muggle,” and I couldn’t have imagined a better fit.
As a lifelong fangirl, I come from a line of enthusiasts (not really, but it sounds good). My passions span Harry Potter, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, and X-Men, among others. While some families bond over sports teams or universities, in our home, the expectation is that you’ll belt out tunes from Broadway musicals and dive deep into the lore of “The Boy Who Lived.”
My children are destined to be nerds, and I expect them to embrace it with all the fervor that only true fans can muster. While other parents look forward to tee-ball games or teaching their kids to ride bikes, I’m eagerly anticipating the moment when we can huddle on the couch for their first viewing of A New Hope. And no, we won’t start with Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Not under my roof, thank you very much.
I’m generally not a fan of extravagant birthday parties for kids. They seem like a hassle with all the cutting, gluing, and glitter involved. I prefer to rent a party room where kids can run wild, devour pizza and cake, and we can leave without lifting a finger. But when my kids turn 11, I’ll go all out—letters from Hogwarts, lightning bolt decorations everywhere, and homemade butterbeer until the kids are ready to burst.
Now, what if my kids don’t want to dive into Harry Potter, Star Wars, or sing along to the Hamilton soundtrack? Are you trying to make me cry? They can certainly have other interests, but why would they? The best fandoms are right here waiting for them. Most of these franchises have even been transformed into Lego video games!
Whenever I read these books, watch these films, or listen to the music, my heart is filled with joy—except for Game of Thrones, which often leaves me feeling utterly devastated. Still, I keep returning for more; the narratives and worlds are too captivating to resist. That’s the kind of passion I hope my kids will have for the art they love.
While I’ve never been into sports, I imagine my enthusiasm for these fandoms is similar to the devotion some exhibit toward their favorite teams. Only with lightsabers, making it way cooler.
Indoctrinating my children into nerd culture is a family affair. If my child chooses to dress as Luke Skywalker for Halloween, you can bet I’ll don a Chewie costume while my partner becomes Han Solo. Nerd culture has become so mainstream that there are countless family-friendly activities we can enjoy together—from Renaissance fairs to Quidditch matches at college campuses. Heck, even Disney cruises celebrate Star Wars days!
My eldest is just four, so he’s still a bit young for many of the things I want to share. He gets easily frightened, so Voldemort and rancor attacks might be a bit much for now. However, he’s already embraced some nerdy elements—he has lightning bolt pants that he proudly calls his Harry Potter pants and enjoys watching short clips from the movies, especially those with Quidditch in them. Plus, the constant rotation of the Hamilton soundtrack has begun to pay off. Just the other day, he climbed into bed while I was waking up and serenaded me with his favorite tunes. It was utterly heartwarming.
The sense of togetherness that some families experience while sporting jerseys and painting their faces will be mirrored in my family when we wear our Hogwarts robes for our annual marathon of all eight Harry Potter films or set off for a trip to the Wizarding World, proudly displaying our house colors—me in Slytherin, my partner in Gryffindor, and our kids in anything except Hufflepuff, because there’s no way my child will be a Hufflepuff.
As they grow, there will be books, toys, lightsabers, and wands in our lives. We will bond as a family of enthusiastic dorks—joyful, quirky, and fully embracing our fandoms.
In summary, fostering a love for nerd culture in my children is a delightful journey I’m excited for. It’s about creating lasting memories filled with laughter, adventure, and a shared passion for the worlds we adore.