In an essay titled "Being the Broke Parent," Matt Burke wrote about how reading the "Harry Potter" books with his daughter has been an affordable way to bond with her.

"I'm a single parent, broke as can be, and reading the Harry Potter series together has become one of the biggest sources of bonding for us," Burke wrote in a tweet sharing the essay with author J.K. Rowling.

Rowling responded on Twitter: "The gifts you're giving your daughter are priceless and I'm truly honoured that Harry & co are playing a part. DM me your address for a set of signed Potters."

People responded to the exchange with their own stories of how the fantasy series helped them bond with their kids.



A 34-year-old self-described "broke" dad wrote about how he uses "Harry Potter" as an affordable way to bond with his 9-year-old daughter — and he got the attention of author J.K. Rowling herself.

In a Medium essay titled "Being the Broke Parent," Burke wrote about how being unable to afford an internet connection led him to be more resourceful in order to keep his child occupied on rainy days. Instead of watching Netflix, he started reading the "Harry Potter" books with her.

"It pulls the two of us into this world that doesn't actually exist obviously, and got us out of this world that does exist, at least for 30 or 45 minutes," Burke told INSIDER.

Burke wrote about his struggles "being the broke parent." Matt Burke

Burke shared his essay in a tweet to Rowling — and she responded.

"I'm a single parent, broke as can be, and reading the Harry Potter series together has become one of the biggest sources of bonding for us," Burke wrote. "Doubt you'll come across this or read this piece, but I just wanted to say thanks for the assist."

But to his great surprise, Rowling did come across it.

Just a few hours later, she replied to his tweet: "The gifts you're giving your daughter are priceless and I'm truly honoured that Harry & co are playing a part. DM me your address for a set of signed Potters."

Burke wrote back, "Oh my, my head is about to explode. 😭You are too kind, thank you so much. I'll DM you my address ASAP."

He told INSIDER that he immediately sent Rowling his address and hadn't yet received a response Friday morning.

Burke's daughter has no idea about Rowling's tweet — and he plans to surprise her.

Bailey is completely unaware that Rowling is sending them signed books because she's away at summer camp, her father told INSIDER, but he plans on surprising her once the books arrive.

They're currently on the fourth book: "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," he said.

Reading "Harry Potter" lets Burke be "directly involved" with something his daughter loves, he wrote in his essay. The two of them take turns reading chapters out loud to each other.

"This not only allows her to get more used to reading aloud in front of someone, but it gets me directly involved in something she loves, and it gives me the chance to be extra dramatic when I read my chapters and bring myself into the characters in the book, which has proven to be a ton of fun," he wrote.

"Fun times for us both and, like I said, I wouldn't change it for the world." Matt Burke

"I get to shout and use all the funny voices I've accumulated over the years without her looking at me like I'm a total weirdo," he added. "Fun times for us both and, like I said, I wouldn't change it for the world."

Their love of "Harry Potter" is so great that they're even planning on dressing up as some of the magical characters for Halloween, Burke told INSIDER. He plans on being Harry Potter himself, Bailey will dress up as Hermione, Burke's girlfriend will Professor McGonagall, and her son will be Draco Malfoy.

He is open with his daughter about his financial struggles and mental health.

Burke told INSIDER that he felt like he was done a disservice by his father growing up because he left the house not knowing what the real world had to offer. He was raised in an affluent, suburban neighborhood in New York, and his family avoided discussing any problems or feelings.

"I was clueless," Burke said. So he raises his daughter in a different way.

"I'm very, very open with everything with her," Burke told INSIDER. "If I'm going through some sort of fit of depression or if I'm anxious, I'll explain it to her. Obviously she's 9 years old so I'm meeting her where she's at. I'm explaining it to her on a level that a 9-year-old would be able to understand."

Burke is open with his daughter about his financial situation. Matt Burke

If Bailey asks if they can go get milkshakes at a place where milkshakes are $12, Burke explains to her that they can't afford that, but that they can go buy a $2 container of ice cream from the grocery store and make their own milkshakes, he told INSIDER.

Burke said he hopes his openness will prepare his daughter for the real world.

"I feel my relationship with her is stronger because of it," he wrote in his essay.

Burke has been interviewing for jobs for months but hasn't had any luck.

Burke told INSIDER that he's been trying to find a job since August 2017, and despite several interviews, he hasn't been able to land one.

At times, he feels especially low when his daughter tells him about shopping trips or vacations she's been on with her mother and stepfather, who have shared custody. He wrote that hearing these things "really make me take a step back and dwell on the mistakes I've made throughout the years that have put me in these predicaments."

But while rent and other bills have left him unable to pay for fun trips and sometimes birthday presents, it also gave them chance to find other ways to keep his daughter happy and entertained without spending money, Burke wrote.

Burke and Rowling's exchange seems to have restored some people's faith in humanity.

Some shared their own stories of how "Harry Potter" helped them bond with their kids.

Perhaps Albus Dumbledore said it best: "Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic."

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