I heared on the radio news that the Childline charity is laying on extra staff in case children are...?

Question

...upset over possible deaths in the "Harry Potter" books.
What has ever happened to the role of *Parents* in monitoring their children's reading and dealing with their emotions?
Are we supposed to leave all of this to "helplines" these days and what does that say about our Society never mind the type of books that our children are reading?
This is all that I can find on the subject so far -

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1276130,00.html

Well "vato" I absolutely agree that Childline is needed for *real* cases where children need it but laying on extra staff over Harry Potter?
Why not have those extra staff on all of the time?
I suppose that reading *might* open up wider issues (as *good* children's books should) but as you yourself point out that should be dealt with in school or by parents (those who take time to listen to their children that is).
Anyway I heard it on the radio and it struck me - thank you for your time in replying.
Best wishes,
Joan.

Well "slsvenus" you are right - the Childline 'phone lines could get clogged up if children are encouraged to call over such a trivial matter and those in *genuine* need might not be able to get through (despite the "extra staff").
As I said reading books *may* open up issues (a recent bereavement in the child's Family for instance) and that is well and good - but parents and/or teachers should be aware of that as .viato said.
It worries me that we are teaching our children the wrong thing by asking them to call a "helpline" over reading a book - it reminds me of the hysteria over the death on Diana as though all of those people lining the streets actually knew her personally!
When it comes to fictional deaths - well this is nothing new! -

http://www.bookpatrol.net/2007/06/before-harry-potter-it-was-little-nell.html

What a good idea,Heather - there should be a ten percent (at least!) tax or "tithe" on her profits to go directly to Childline for the trouble she is causing.
I think that it is all a publicity stunt myself!

Quite,Michael - or more likely

HPYE = Harry Potter Yet Egen (as we say in Yorkshire!).

Answer 1

I read about this and I think it is crazy.

I just hope JK digs into her profits and makes a donation to them.

Answer 2

It's not the type of book, fairy tales were pretty grim reading and that's basically what this story is: For generations parents have dealt with the 'traumas' of their childrens lives.
Child-line is a good idea taken too far! It was set up to help with real life traumas and abuse, where there were reasons they felt they couldn't talk to their parents. To offer the service for a fictional character is crazy! they'll have children feeling guilty IF they don't feel sad or upset. We are becoming a 'counselling' society where every possible emotion needs expert help. All the adverts tell us we NEED it! Is it any surprise parents believe it's better to 'leave it to the experts' or that children 'think they need the experts'? Yet the 'experts' also say that children are becoming more emotionally hard because they see too many fictional characters 'die' in films! Only to be seen next week in another!
It's a crazy world that keeps getting crazier!

Answer 3

I read that that were laying on the extra staff at Childline because in young children, reading about a death (ie in the new Harry Potter book) can sometimes bring up memories of someone they may have lost in their personal lives.

So for example, if a child reading the Harry Potter has recently, or in the past lost someone close to them, reading the book might upset them, hence the need for extra staff at Childline.

I think its a very good idea for them to lay on extra staff at Childline. If it helps children, it is 100% worth it.

Answer 4

Aren't the Harry Potter books only suitable for children of an age who are read to by their parents anyway? Seriously though, it's trivial. Part of growing up is showing a little independence. If it really bothers them, they should seek their parents but otherwise kids should get over it on their own terms, it's part of growing up - what better way than through a book? We shouldn't wrap them in cotton wool. I thought Childline was meant to be used when all other avenues were unavailable, not as a primary source of advice. It'll be dispensing fashion tips next.

Plus, it could lead to an embarrassing scenario - what child under 10 uses the phone without their parents supervision?

Parent (shouting): Have you seen the phone?
Child: I'm using it.
Parent (utterly confused) Who are you talking to?
Child: Erm...erm...the Harry Potter Helpline.

Answer 5

Some kids don't feel comfortable speaking with their parents about these kinds of things. The typical eight-year-old boy isn't going to want to admit to someone who views him as masculine about how a book depressed him. It's important that ChildLine stays open TO help these kids get through it. Of course, most kids will be able to determine fact from fiction but some most defiantly will not.

The books aren't bad. When did READING become such a horrible thing? I remember back in school I read books that had many deaths. We learned about it as a class and learned from them. Unfortunately some parents aren't there to guide their kids as they should.

Answer 6

What a crazy world we live in when Childline lay on extra staff to counsel children over a book. My son (aged 10) and I have enjoyed the HP series, but he knows they are fictional characters, and when it comes to dealing with emotional problems, then it is my role as a parent to help him with anything that is worrying him. Childline offers a very valuable service for children with actual problems, but to offer a counselling service over a book - silly.

Answer 7

I do believe that parents should monitor what their children are reading. Some parents do not know how to talk to their children. As sad as that is, it does happen. At least for some parents that are not able to comfort their children, or have no clue in dealing with their upset feelings, their children will have someone to talk to. Some children may feel more comfortable talking to another about their feelings. Sadly, some children do not feel comfortable talking to their parents about anything. I am glad that their are resources out there for children to turn to. I agree that parents should be able to talk to their children, and handle it on their own, but for those who, in my opinion, are unfortunate enough to have parents that either don't know, or don't care, they will have a resource to go to.

Answer 8

This is crazy, i agree. My god, i like to think I've brought my children up with enough realism and common sense, that they wont fall to piece's over a piece of fiction.

I think it is a complete waste of a fantastic resource. I think people in general need to get a reality check these days, there is suffering beyond our imagination, all over our world, happening today, and we place a harry potter book on our list of things to grieve over!!!!

Answer 9

For goodness sake, fiction is fiction and literature is literature! Do we expect our children to believe explicitly in eg. "Alice's adventures in Wonderland", or "Winnie the Poo"? I had a loopy aunt who believed everything in "Coronation Street" was real, but we all made allowances for her eccentricity. Of course parents should be involved in whatever their children are reading. I don't know about the "helplines "to which you refer, but I suggest you share the reading times with your children that I shared, to the great enjoyment of all.

Answer 10

the age that a child should be to read this book should be old enough to know it is fiction. That is a waste of money and time that could be devoted to real need cases

Answer 11

it is beyond me how this all works,i cant understand kids getting so emotional over a book,or even a popstar,surely when they get read/read these books,they know it is just a story not true.,which astounds me that there are so many serious things in life to be helped with other than this