Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, so my DS is impressionable and tries out language and attitudes he sees in movies or reads in books. He’s read the whole Captain Underpants series, and while he was in that phase we had to have serious talks about respect for teachers.

I hated those books, but the stuff they do is more imaginary and in a strange way, Harold and George have a conscience and a sense of responsibility. They don’t after all let Mr. Krupp wander off alone.

Greg Heffley just seems to revel in lying, stealing, cheating, and taking advantage of his frenemy, Rowley. ( yes, I have read the books with DS, which is why I dislike them so).

I’d rather DS were reading A Wrinkle in Time or Charlotte’s Web (he got 3/4 of the way through, then got bored). He is thankfully also reading the Percy Jackson series, which is less morally bankrupt.

DS says Wimpy Kid will not have any real effects. I’m not so sure. However, I never had my reading censored as a kid, so I hate to do it myself. But DS may just be a lot more impressionable than I was.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ has good recs and occasionally, we will have a library audiobook from overdrive to listen to the first few chapters until it gets to where child is asking "what happens next" and then he will jump into reading a book.

[Anonymous]

I love these books and have read them all with my kids. DH laugh about them because they are so much like real life. We joke about the latest one because our spring break trip is coming up.

Seriously, DS was a reluctant reader in 2nd grade until he found these. We started reading them to him and they were the first books he ever wanted to read on his own. His behavor and attitude never changed. There is much worse out there. He's older now but still loves to read his old Wimpy Kid books over and over again.

[Anonymous]

I have never have and never will ban a book. My kids read what they want and are constantly in a book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: DS is 8-years old and a strong reader. He loves the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Unfortunately, his attitude towards school and his classmates seems to have nosedived since he started reading these books. He parrots phrases from the books, like “Everyone in my school is a moron except me.” He may just be experimenting with different phrases and testing limits, but it is still disturbing.

The main character is a pretty nasty, self-centered kid. The series seems targeted towards older kids, as it’s about a seventh grader.

DH thinks as long as DS is reading and enjoying it, we should leave him alone. I think the books are proving to be a negative influence.

Would you let your eight-year-old read these books?

So... deal with his crappy attitude.

Suggestions? How do you deal with a crappy attitude in an eight-year old?

That really depends on your overall approach. My own response would be "You think so? I think only a moron would believe that... "

Or "What do you think makes you so much better?" Or "Why are you calling people names? I thought you knew better. Guess we need to work on your manners."

[Anonymous]

I let my 6-7 yo son read them until he started parroting obnoxious phrases. I warned him if he said certain things again, so captain underpants or wimpy kid for him. He stopped for the most part, but I've heard similar phrases, so put the books up and redirected. I never noticed any attitude change though, that really would have bothered me.

[Anonymous]

My dd is the same with Percy Jackson. I can always tell when she’s been reading rick riordan because she tries to be a huge smart alec.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, so my DS is impressionable and tries out language and attitudes he sees in movies or reads in books. He’s read the whole Captain Underpants series, and while he was in that phase we had to have serious talks about respect for teachers.

I hated those books, but the stuff they do is more imaginary and in a strange way, Harold and George have a conscience and a sense of responsibility. They don’t after all let Mr. Krupp wander off alone.

Greg Heffley just seems to revel in lying, stealing, cheating, and taking advantage of his frenemy, Rowley. ( yes, I have read the books with DS, which is why I dislike them so).

I’d rather DS were reading A Wrinkle in Time or Charlotte’s Web (he got 3/4 of the way through, then got bored). He is thankfully also reading the Percy Jackson series, which is less morally bankrupt.

DS says Wimpy Kid will not have any real effects. I’m not so sure. However, I never had my reading censored as a kid, so I hate to do it myself. But DS may just be a lot more impressionable than I was.

Boys do not want to read books about pigs falling in love with spiders, as much as their moms loved it. This expectation has led to so many "reluctant readers" among boys and Jeff Kinney has said outright that he had those boys in mind when he wrote the Wimpy Kid series. Your SON IS READING FOR FUN. Be thrilled. Do all you can do encourage that. And use the opportunity to teach him that the behavior seen in books (tv, video games, friends' houses) isn't always appropriate in your home. It's a good lesson and the right time to learn it.

[Anonymous]

My highly gifted teen would have never picked up a book on his own had it not been for Capt Underpants and Wimpy Kid. Yes, they are annoying - use it as a discussion point - we don't act out everything we read etc.

Thank goodness for the authors who have a knack for appealing to reluctant, often male, young readers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Boys do not want to read books about pigs falling in love with spiders, as much as their moms loved it. This expectation has led to so many "reluctant readers" among boys and Jeff Kinney has said outright that he had those boys in mind when he wrote the Wimpy Kid series. Your SON IS READING FOR FUN. Be thrilled. Do all you can do encourage that. And use the opportunity to teach him that the behavior seen in books (tv, video games, friends' houses) isn't always appropriate in your home. It's a good lesson and the right time to learn it.

Some boys like Charlotte's Web, other boys don't. Some girls like Charlotte's Web, other girls don't. Some boys (and girls) like the Wimpy Kid series, other boys (and girls) don't.

(Also, Charlotte's Web is not a book about a pig falling in love with a spider. I don't like the book (and I'm a former girl), but good grief.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Boys do not want to read books about pigs falling in love with spiders, as much as their moms loved it. This expectation has led to so many "reluctant readers" among boys and Jeff Kinney has said outright that he had those boys in mind when he wrote the Wimpy Kid series. Your SON IS READING FOR FUN. Be thrilled. Do all you can do encourage that. And use the opportunity to teach him that the behavior seen in books (tv, video games, friends' houses) isn't always appropriate in your home. It's a good lesson and the right time to learn it.

Some boys like Charlotte's Web, other boys don't. Some girls like Charlotte's Web, other girls don't. Some boys (and girls) like the Wimpy Kid series, other boys (and girls) don't.

(Also, Charlotte's Web is not a book about a pig falling in love with a spider. I don't like the book (and I'm a former girl), but good grief.)

My boy would hate Charlotte Web. Most boys would hate it too. Sorry, boys and girls are different, gender neutrality is not a think. If David Reiner had not killed himself, he could tell you that himself.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't Greg Heffley's mom try to make him read Charlotte's Web and Little Women instead of some crap book that he wants to read? Too funny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Boys do not want to read books about pigs falling in love with spiders, as much as their moms loved it. This expectation has led to so many "reluctant readers" among boys and Jeff Kinney has said outright that he had those boys in mind when he wrote the Wimpy Kid series. Your SON IS READING FOR FUN. Be thrilled. Do all you can do encourage that. And use the opportunity to teach him that the behavior seen in books (tv, video games, friends' houses) isn't always appropriate in your home. It's a good lesson and the right time to learn it.

Some boys like Charlotte's Web, other boys don't. Some girls like Charlotte's Web, other girls don't. Some boys (and girls) like the Wimpy Kid series, other boys (and girls) don't.

(Also, Charlotte's Web is not a book about a pig falling in love with a spider. I don't like the book (and I'm a former girl), but good grief.)

My boy would hate Charlotte Web. Most boys would hate it too. Sorry, boys and girls are different, gender neutrality is not a think. If David Reiner had not killed himself, he could tell you that himself.

Yes, I think that we're all clear on the idea that boys and girls are different. But people don't read books with their genitals.

[Anonymous]

OP here are so many books you can try with your strong reader.
Gregor the Overlander Series. DS devoured these last spring when he was 8. Try Holes too. This is a good one b/c you can watch the movie after. The same with Wonder. DS enjoyed both these books. He did enjoy the follow up to Wonder (Auggie and Me) better.

He also read, Hatchet (depending on your son this might be too adult for him - kid sees his mom kissing another man, pilot in his plane dies and he has to learn to survive on his own). Crenshaw, which is about a boy potentially about to experience homelessness. Bud, Not Buddy. An old book but he really liked it. Now he is 9 and is finishing up the Fablehaven Series, just started the Five Kingdom Series, and is almost through the Amulet books.

I don't let him read Diary of a Wimpy Kid (we have seen all the movies though).

There are so many great books and book series with strong young male characters that he will be fine without wimpy kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Boys do not want to read books about pigs falling in love with spiders, as much as their moms loved it. This expectation has led to so many "reluctant readers" among boys and Jeff Kinney has said outright that he had those boys in mind when he wrote the Wimpy Kid series. Your SON IS READING FOR FUN. Be thrilled. Do all you can do encourage that. And use the opportunity to teach him that the behavior seen in books (tv, video games, friends' houses) isn't always appropriate in your home. It's a good lesson and the right time to learn it.

Some boys like Charlotte's Web, other boys don't. Some girls like Charlotte's Web, other girls don't. Some boys (and girls) like the Wimpy Kid series, other boys (and girls) don't.

(Also, Charlotte's Web is not a book about a pig falling in love with a spider. I don't like the book (and I'm a former girl), but good grief.)

My boy would hate Charlotte Web. Most boys would hate it too. Sorry, boys and girls are different, gender neutrality is not a think. If David Reiner had not killed himself, he could tell you that himself.

Yes, I think that we're all clear on the idea that boys and girls are different. But people don't read books with their genitals.

They also don't play with their toys with their genitals. Doesn't change the fact that girls prefer dolls over trucks and boys prefer trucks over dolls. This is overwhelming. Boys and girls are different and it goes far beyond their genitals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

They also don't play with their toys with their genitals. Doesn't change the fact that girls prefer dolls over trucks and boys prefer trucks over dolls. This is overwhelming. Boys and girls are different and it goes far beyond their genitals.

You are free to give your girls girl toys and girl books, and your boys boy toys and boy books, if that is what you want to do. Other people allow their individual children to make their own choices.