need help with parents

[greenmonkey]

my parents wont let me play paintball and i really love this sport and would really like to play. so if any one has advise on how i could convince my parents to let me play give me some.thanx i need all the help i could get.

[geekwarrior]

what are their reasons for not letting you play?

[etjoyride]

have you showed them all of the safety aspects of the sport? the masks, safetys, barrel covers, optional body armor, etc. That is a good place to start
Also, paying your own way(atleast partially) is a great motivator as well

[Walrus]

Well, first things first. What are the reasons your parents won't let you play besides they said so. (That reason usually overrides all others, but it is worth asking!) Second question for you would be how old are you? Sometimes parents think that you need to wait until a certain age to start because that is what they had to do.

I can recommend always plugging the sport in a good positive light. If they are concerned about safety, then gather some facts on paintball safety equipment and the fact that the goggles we wear meet and exceed so many standards. If they don't like the fact that you are pointing "guns" at each other, then you will need to find a way around that on your own. Be prepared to explain about the sport and how it has grown. Tell them it is a chance for you to show your responsibility by funding your own hobby. This sport can be expensive if you let it, but with self control and hard work you can do it. If you are old enough, get a part time or summer job to show them that you are willing to earn money to play (if they will let you). Take them to a local shop or field and let them talk to the owners and other players. Also, paintball magazines like APG is a good source to let your parents learn about the sport.

I had the privilage of talking to some parents at the last game I attended. Thier son wanted to have a paintball birthday party and they were a little unsure about it. They had already talked to the owner and where touring the fields to learn more about the game. They happened to come across my brother and I when we were taking a break and we talked to them and even let them try out our equipment. We showed them how the sport can be good and told them how it teaches responsibility.

If they won't let you play because a field is too far away and they will have to drive you all the time or because of the expense of the sport and they will be funding you, then you need to honor their request and just be patient. If you can, find a local field (or friends that play somewhere) and have one of your parents go with you and possibly play. This is a sure fire way to get them hooked as well. Don't be pushy with the fact that you want to play, just be patient. You will get your chance eventually.

[greenmonkey]

well they think that it teaches kids violence. they think by playing paintball that the kids are going to become killers and wont to kill peaople.and they think im going to die of and accident.

[Walrus]

As per my original post, how old are you? I am not going to flame, but I just want to be able to help the best I can.

As far as your parents reasons, you should respect thier wishes. However, if you have a change to convince them then you will have to try to prove them wrong, but do it nicely. You can always use similarities like what your parent have used:

If you play paintball, you will become violent

Let's think about this further:
If I play computer games, I will become violent/bad driver/mass murder, etc.
If I join the wrestling team, I will become violent.
If I watch the tv/movies/news, I will become a violent person
If I learn computer programming, I will become a hacker.
If I learn how to chop wood with an axe, then I become an axe murderer.

As you can see, we can come up with some rediculous analogies. Not any of these are true, but the effect can always be different because you have a choice. If you are a responsible person with self control, then you will not be violent. In fact, here are some good ones:
If you play paintball, I learn responsibility and leadership (to name a few)
If I play computer games, I will develop better eye to hand coordination
If I join the wrestling team, I will become active and physically fit
If I watch the tv/movies/news, I am entertained
If I learn computer programming, I will become a programmer who can make money and/or help people.
If I learn how to chop wood with an axe, then I learn the value of hard work

Paintball can be a good thing, but some bad publicity can ruin it for all. By showing your parents that you are responsible and trustworthy, then they may allow you to play. Just remind them that it is an outside activity and it will get you out of the house!! Don't pick a fight or get angry because they won't allow you to play. This will just prove them right.

[REDRT]

well they think that it teaches kids violence. they think by playing paintball that the kids are going to become killers and wont to kill peaople.and they think im going to die of and accident.

No the IRS makes people violent! As long as your under their roof you need to respect their wishes. But I would bring it up it is a team sport much like any other sport. You are less likely to be injured badly playing paintball than a backyard game of football. There is safety and supervision. Come up with real concrete facts to present to them. That might give them a better understanding. Maybe you'll just have to wait? My mom and dad didn't let me do some things when I was younger that my friends could do. Parents do things like this to protect you. Sometimes it is hard to see that when you are young.

[Pyroboy597]

Here is what I would do. Take your parents to your local field and let them watch some people play. Most parents think it is just an excuse for their kids to run around and use guns unsafely in the woods. After you show your parents what it is all about, maybe go play with your dad. After that, assuming it all goes well they would probably let you atleast play, if not own a paintball gun.

OR my classic technique.

I wrote my parents a letter and then we talked about it over dinner.

[Stealth Fighter]

Tell them that you could be doing worse things, like smoking or drinking and would rather paintball.

Then tell them that it is safer than driving if you play at a field.

If all goes right, you should be able to convince them to let you play.

This is a bit of a last resort deal here, but if they still don't listen, tell them that you will stop participating in school until they allow you to play. That doesn't always work, but if you stick to your guns long enough, they might just give in.

[greenmonkey]

im 15 years old and my dad is trying to ban the sport from the city, he hasnt done anything but he wants to. wel if even menchin paintball around him he freaks out and gets all mad at me and tell me all this negative things about it. well i have been trying to prove him wrong but he never gives me the chance. need more help.

[bentothejam1n]

im 15 years old and my dad is trying to ban the sport from the city, he hasnt done anything but he wants to. wel if even menchin paintball around him he freaks out and gets all mad at me and tell me all this negative things about it. well i have been trying to prove him wrong but he never gives me the chance. need more help.

why does he want to ban it?? Did some paintball related accidents happen in your town?? Also tell him that paintball has less injuries than bowling and golf

[ThePixelGuru]

Also remember to stress that it's a sport, not a military game, and that they're called markers and not guns. Basically, you've got to prove to them that it's not violent. With that in mind, certainly keep them away from the "face-shootin' agg killa" types.

Good luck.

[68magOwner]

paintball dosent teach kids violence at all, infact, it allows them a means of venting anger and becoming less violent individuals.

[Tao]

well they think that it teaches kids violence. they think by playing paintball that the kids are going to become killers and wont to kill peaople.and they think im going to die of and accident.

There are alot of people out there who can be real mentors. I immage police officers make up a pretty big chunk of field proprietors across north america...

[grEnAlEins]

No the IRS makes people violent!

so i read.

The rest of what REDRT says is true. You do need to obey your parents. I would try to talk it over calmly and rationally. Maybe take your dad for a day of play or to a feild to watch some games. See some feild websites for info. Here is a discription and overview of the sport from my local feild (or the one with the best website) that you should look at before talking it over with the padre and/or madre:

http://www.paintballblitz.com/what.html

http://www.paintballblitz.com/who.html (even encourages new kids and parents to visit the feild and watch the game being played)

I used this same info when convincing my dad to let me buy my first marker (use marker, not gun ) and letting my play. Good luck, but remember if they tell you no after that, than it is no (don't wanna see you get grounded, I hated always that )

Also google "paintball" and look for info.

Good luck man,

Nick