A bit of a break from the norm for this chapter. I want to tell you all a bit about my parenting style, and how and why it's very different from the norm. You see, most mothers are quite strict with their kids. They set large numbers of rules, restrictions, curfews, and generally just frustrate the hell out of them. It's all supposedly done in the name of generating patience and maturity. I completely disagree with this approach however. I am of the opinion that all kids should be bought up to be as happy as they possibly can be, and to see, do and experience as much of what they want as possible.
Why, you ask? Well, think about it. As soon as you find out about a rule you disagree with, what do you do 90 percent of the time? You don't follow it willingly, do you? You try to find loopholes, circumnavigate it, manipulate the system, shall we say. Only when you've exhausted every option do you begrudgingly follow it. Where does that come from?! PARENTING!
Every time a child is set a rule, they break it, or find ways to, it always happens! It's human nature to not want to conform to the system, and that is the fault of how the majority of people are raised, and as a side effect, most people become far worse than they could be if they were raised differently! It leads to fights, arguments, tantrums, and lots of unnecessary drama!
So that's why I've never set really strict rules for my kids. I pretty much let them have as much free reign as they like, from the age of 11 onwards. I thought that would only be fair considering everything that happened during my life at that age. Even before then, I was never strict with them at home, they were free to have as much fun as they liked. I taught them reading and writing and basic maths and that was about it in terms of schoolwork. Hogwarts would be exhausting enough for them, they could do with some nice enjoyable years beforehand! I also let them attempt to channel their magic through my wand, using our very large garden. Of course, it usually ended with them damaging something, but it was never anything dangerous for anyone, there was more than enough space to do it safely. Harry's inherited wealth combined with my riches from my Harpies years meant it was always easy to replace anything damaged beyond magical repair. We never had any noise complaints either, as we have soundproofing charms cast all around our house.
Of course, there was a limit. I would never let them do anything dangerous, or anything I found completely and utterly ridiculous, but other than that, they could do whatever made them happy. If they wanted to go to Diagon Alley for a day unsupervised, I let them do that, as long as they went in groups. Especially as they all grew up long after Voldemort's defeat, when there were very few dark threats, and we had (and still have) Ron and George working there. James started working there two years ago after he finished at Hogwarts, it was the job he'd always wanted. He'd always very maturely insisted growing up that he wanted to make his own money and not rely on us, something we were impressed by and massively appreciate. I told them about Knockturn Alley before the very first time we ever went there, took them to see it, and they very quickly decided, and rightly so, that it was not a place they ever wished to visit again, so that was never a worry I had. Most of the time I went with them anyway, seeing as they all thought I was so cool, but when they would request my absence I would always agree to it.
If one of them decided they wanted to take up the muggle pastime of horse riding, I let them do that. If one of them wanted to play with Lego, I let them do that, despite me not having the faintest idea how it works. If they wanted to take up football, I let them do that, despite my passionate belief that Quidditch is far superior. They all play Quidditch too anyway so it's not a big deal.
Bottom line is, apart from a limited set of circumstances, whatever made them happy was fine by me. They love me more than anything for it, and often I join in with them. In their eyes, not only am I their mother, but I'm also one of their best friends, and that's the way every kid should view their parents. They should view them as a fun cool person to have around, not someone to get frustrated over and fight with all the time. Also, on the rare occasions I had to prevent them doing something, I sat them down and calmly explained why, and they usually understood and didn't get upset. I never argued, shouted or fought with them, and I always listened to their counterpoints without interrupting. Once or twice they even managed to change my mind!
James, Albus and Lily are 3 of the nicest, most intelligent and most mature people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing, and the fact that it's largely down to Harry and I raising them happy, is something we're both immensely proud of.
The reason I'm bringing this up is due to the James Potter series, and while I am enjoying the books so far, it seems to be implied that I'm quite a strict mother, which couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, when I spoke to James about this, he said that was the biggest reason he was so glad the books weren't the truth!
So a message to all parents and potential future parents out there, raise your kids happily, not strictly!