Don't steal Bindi Irwin's childhood, expert urges

Sydney - Bindi Irwin stole the hearts of 300 million television viewers at the memorial service in Brisbane for father Steve, when she spoke eloquently of wanting to emulate the Crocodile Hunter and devote her life to protecting nature. Australian Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and his daughter Bindi Irwin with one of three six-week-old Bengal tiger cubs at Australia Zoo in Brisbane, Wednesday 24 December 2004. Irwin, aged 44, has died, Monday, 04 Septemeber 2006, in a marine accident while filming an underwater documentary off Port Douglas, his body has been flown to Cairns. EPA/TONY PHILLIPS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Australian Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin and his daughter Bindi Irwin with one of three six-week-old Bengal tiger cubs at Australia Zoo in Brisbane, Wednesday 24 December 2004. Irwin, aged 44, has died, Monday, 04 Septemeber 2006, in a marine accident while filming an underwater documentary off Port Douglas, his body has been flown to Cairns. EPA/TONY PHILLIPS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUTBut on Thursday a child psychologist was warning that the great expectations placed on the 8-year-old poppet were not only unhealthy but potentially devastating for a child who had lost a parent at such a young age. Alison Garton, a psychologist at Western Australia's Edith Cowan University, said her minders could easily have been fooled by her apparent resilience and might be inadvertently railroading her into a role she could not manage. 'She's obviously a very poised and mature 8-year-old, but I think some of these public statements are probably a bit extreme at this point in time,' Garton said. 'She probably doesn't even understand properly what it means not to have Daddy around anyway.' Banner headlines in Australian papers proclaimed the emergence of the 'Little Wildlife Warrior.' They said she upstaged politicians, Hollywood actors and seasoned entertainers at the memorial service. As if to underline Garton's concerns, Irwin family friend and business manager John Stainton, who choreographed Wednesday's mesmerising memorial service, told of his conviction that the career of the angelic Bindi could easily eclipse that of her father within five years. The home-schooled tot stars in her own 26-episode wildlife series for the Discovery Channel. It was while filming an underwater segment for this series two weeks ago that Steve Irwin died after being pierced in the heart by a stingray. Stainton said there were 19 programmes still to make before the series debuts early next year. 'She has to step up to the mark again, quickly,' Stainton said of the luminous gap-toothed Bindi. Garton said it was understandable that the child felt obliged to carry on her father's work. 'They either feel they've got to live up to these expectations or fail, and that can be pretty devastating,' she said. 'It's a rare child that would actually live up to those expectations and thrive in them.' Australians, who were mostly unaware of Irwin's worldwide celebrity until after his death, expressed admiration and surprise at the aplomb with which Bindi discharged her role at the memorial service. Mother Terri, 42, cried though the service and felt unable to speak or even acknowledge the thousands who had come to comfort the family. Bob Irwin, who founded the Australia Zoo in 1970 and handed it over to his son 20 years later, was not in the least surprised at his granddaughter's performance. 'Bindi's had lots of media experience and all of us expected to be proud of Bindi because she does so well, and she did so well today. Very, very well,' Bob Irwin said as tearful wellwishers filed out of the crocodile enclosure at Australia Zoo. © 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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memeSep 21st, 2006 - 16:31:23

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gloSep 28th, 2006 - 23:43:15

Love conquers all. It will Not be a matter of failing with Bindi, because when you have an admorable love like she displayed for her daddy, Love will spur her on, and she will conquer what lies ahead of her with an effortless energy.

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KeliOct 1st, 2006 - 17:59:09

I hate this when people Over analyze things. I mean sure, Terri and Stainton DO Have to take things slowly, and Bindi wants to do this, but she IS a young child. They are keeping that in mind, and I don't think she's in a situation where she's forced to do this. Just like psychologists are analyzing the Mass Grief, they are over-analyzing this, and I think they should seriously put a sock in it.

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somegirlOct 18th, 2006 - 09:19:33

I belive that Bindi is capable of making some of her own decisions, even though she is eight. Whether people are ready for it or not children are growing up faster these days. I am positive that Bindi will discuss her feelings with her mom and they will come to the best decision that will be best for their family. Good luck to them and Steve will be missed.

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YeahJan 9th, 2007 - 01:07:37

When psychologists get their hands on children, all the child's dreams and aspirations become 'illogical'...'unhealthy'...'potentially damaging'. Psychologists destroy childhood.

As a mother, I would knock this psychologists teeth out for saying such things about my child.

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Yeah, noone should worry about anything at all.. she should have her own television series and go on a whirlwind media tour to promote it.. and everything will be just fine.. yep

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