Muggle Parents

[degroote at altavista.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 24812

This  my first posting.  I'm so happy to find this site to talk other 
grown ups about Harry Potter.  Anyone else a thirtysomething mom or 
dad whose kids are too young to read HP themselves?

Anyway, anyone wondered about how Hermione's parents feel about 
finding out that their little girl is a witch (something I sometimes 
suspect my 6 y/o of, LOL) and then sending her off to some place 
they've never been and can't go to?  Would they be distracted by some 
errand (as JKR says muggles are when they appraoch Hogwart's gates), 
or could they have a charm placed on them that would allow them to 
enter, etc?  Do parents ever get to come and visit (other than for 
the final task of the TriWizard Tournament)?  If not, how can they 
stand to be away from their children for so long-especially if they 
stay at the castle during holidays?  Why don't Hermione's parents 
read The Daily Prophet?  I'd sure insist upon recieving and keeping 
up with what's going on in my child's world!  I know that in GB 
sending kids to boarding school is fairly common, but aren't these 
long strtches without seeing parents (9-10 months)a bit unusual?  Do 
Hermione's parents use the Owl Post?  
Do you think I'm a little obsessed with Hermione?  She IS my 
favourite character!  She reminds me alot of what I imagine my 6 y/o 
daughter to be like in a few years.  Maybe I'm so concerned about 
these issues because I have wishful thinking that we'll recieve a 
letter written in dark green ink in about 4 1/2 years inviting her to 
the American School of Witchcraft & Wizardry?  Where do you suppose 
it would be?  Ok, here I go again...

Would love to hear some of your thoughts!