Harry Potter's parenting.

[lightofdaye]

I;m too lazy to google and I'm hoping for discussion. When was Harry born? 1981 was it? And his kids. What kind of age difference is that? Basically how would the kids be by the time Harry retires? Their thirties?

I'm reading this smutty_claus fic which is heavily featuring Harry and Ginny as parents to teenage kids and I'm just wondering what kind of parents people thing they would be? Good, Bad? Close? Distant.

Which is more likely and which is more useful storywise?

Comments

[nutmeg-44.livejournal.com]

Well, we know that James Sirius started Hogwarts this year so that puts him at 11 in 2015 and Harry was born 1980. You can do some quick Maths to figure out Harry and Ginny's age at time of conception, which I think would affect what kind of parents they would be.

I think the fact that Ginny had a big happy family and Harry didn't get to have a family at all growing up would make them very loving, hands-on and doting parents. Harry would be a little awkward about it not having a template of affection from childhood to emulate but I think Ginny would encourage him and his own natural affection for his kids would help.

Edit: corrected year of Harry's birth.

[lightofdaye]

aaagh. I just lost my reply by accidently backpaging :(

But that makes James 24 years younger than Harry with the other kids being two/fours younger still. That makes them late forties-mid thirties when he retires. hmmm. was hoping they'd be younger.

That's a lovely idea of how they'd be. :)

[nutmeg-44.livejournal.com]

I hate when that happens.

Well you could argue that Harry could choose early retirement for reasons like spending time with the family, slower pace, coaching Quidditch, or Auror injury. That could put him at retired and his kids still being young.

My favourite part of story writing is developing the backstory and plotting the details. It's the actual writing that usually causes me problems. I love the plotting.

[torino10154]

1980. Lord, Daye. SMH

Al has to have been born around 2006 because of when he starts school, James is roughly two years older, Lily about 2 years younger.

Both Harry and Ginny have pretty high intensity jobs but I definitely lean toward both good and close, though what Harry calls close and what Ginny does I'd say are different. She's used to a big boisterous family and he's not.

I read a fic once (well, part of one) where Harry disowned one of his kids. That is impossible, IMHO. It is beyond my ability to suspend my disbelief to buy. I've read others where he either had to arrest one or turn them in and as a law enforcement type of person, I can believe that--not that he'd want to but if they're doing something wrong (and not for good reasons--we know he's all about breaking rules), that seems possible to me.

Though Harry could buy them anything in the world, I don't see the kids spoiled like Malfoys. He knows what it's like to go without but I think he also knows what it means to take pride in your accomplishments--rather than having things handed to you.

As for a story, I mean it has to make sense within the story. I read one ages ago where Teddy and James got into some dark magic--I believe Teddy died and James had to do a few years in Azkaban. There is something to be said for rebelling against your parents (especially feeling you can never measure up--it can be hard having a celebrity as a parent) and when kids don't appreciate the danger out there, they can certainly get into trouble.

[lightofdaye]

I'm sorry! I think I was thinking of the Potter's gravestones but of course Harry was one at the time.

Oh that's a good thought.they would definitely have different views on family. I agree I can't see him disowning them. He might not even arrest them himself but I'm sure he wouldn't prevent others from doing so.

Harry and Ginny are both pretty high-income. At least they better pay Aurors wells. I've always wondered how much of a fortune Harry really had from a grown up rather than 11 year old perspective.

I'd love to think Harry had a mostly trouble free marriage and raised his kids well without mishap and I figure the epilogue shows this.

If I was writing a proper nextgen focused story with character and stuff instead of porn. I figure my head canon would be more. Harry tries he really does. But is a chronic overworker so his kid's don't really see a lot of him sometimes. It's subtle but Al is the favourite kid and probably both him and James know it. And because he doesn't want to be like the Dursleys he's incapable of disciplining his kids. So Ginny has to and dislike it because she feels like she's turning into molly.

but that's my recipe for emotastic kids not a realistic portrayal i guess.

[lightofdaye]

Separate and sillier head-canon. Harry will not be able to related to his kid's school stories at all.

aL: Dad! I had such a terrible year!
H: oh no! who died?
al:... no one died.
H: oh no! Who tried to kill you.
al: No one!
H: You know what I'd've called a year with no deaths and no-one trying to kill me? A good one. If that had ever happened.
al: Dammit Dad! Everytime!

[torino10154]

LOL Yes, now see, this I believe. :P

[luvscharlie.livejournal.com]

I see Harry as a very tender parent. I can't see him treating his children badly, or even harshly to be honest. I'd imagine Ginny to be far stricter than Harry, as she grew up happily and understands the purpose of discipline, when doled out correctly. I can't see Harry being much of a disciplinarian after everything he suffered through as a child.

I think he'd be the parent who would probably be a little easy to bend to your way if you were manipulative enough as a child. Ginny, notsomuch.

[lightofdaye]

I definitely agree there. I figure Lily's got everyone wrapped around her finger as well.