paranoid parents & paintball

[FooTemps]

I'll keep this short.

I want to play paintball more. Parents don't want me to play more than 4 times a year. I want to buy mag. Parents don't want me to buy one because they want me to play less.

How can I convince my parents paintball isn't bad?

[M-a-s-sDriver]

First, be sure those you play with are good, decent association, people you would not mind meeting your parents. Then have your parents spend a day with you at the field, possibly even participating, but mainly showing by your actions that paintball adds something to your character, or is at least not a detriment to your life. They would probably like to think most everything you do has a positive influence on you. And if they are paying the bill, buy a Phantom pump. Shooting pump makes you better and costs a whole lot less money. But, guess what? Your parents are your master and overlord, commanding every atom in your body to obey thier every evil whim and desire, so you have to do what they say.

MUUHH-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!
Brent Jackson, PFB.

[Gunga]

There was a report out showing statistics on how dangerous various sports are in terms of injuries. Paintball was less dangerous than bowling.

I think I might've seen it here at AO, but that was aaaaaaaaaages ago. Might be worth doing a search for though.

Also, have your parents ever watched you play paintball? Or played with you for that matter? Might wanna see if they will, so they can see just how saftey conscious paintballers are. Have them talk to some of the refs or more experienced players at your local field.

And, speaking of danger, wear a cup!! Mine saved ye olde family jewels for 2 weekends in a row.

[FooTemps]

Lets see...Where should i start?

ok.
1. They don't want to go to the field
2. they aren't paying
3. My friends are good people.
4. My parents are avoiding the topic of paintball...

[ThePatriot]

my parents wouldnt let me get a paintball gun for 2 years...but they finally gave in, some questions and suggestions....how old are you? and where do u live? that can matter, and the suggestions are...make a deal or try and talk reason to them, like can you please explain to me the reasoning you dont want me to play, make sure they understand its logic only and work something out from there...also try like well how about you allow me to purchase my own gun and we will see how you feel afterwards...if you dont like the feeling i will return it to please you(odds r they wont care once they see u dont destroy stuff)...worked for my parents, now they support paintball, cuz my mom took a trip to the field and saw how many kids really play...she thought i only wanted one to destroy stuff and i was the only one who wanted one in the world

[FooTemps]

Originally posted by ThePatriot
my parents wouldnt let me get a paintball gun for 2 years...but they finally gave in, some questions and suggestions....how old are you? and where do u live? that can matter, and the suggestions are...make a deal or try and talk reason to them, like can you please explain to me the reasoning you dont want me to play, make sure they understand its logic only and work something out from there...also try like well how about you allow me to purchase my own gun and we will see how you feel afterwards...if you dont like the feeling i will return it to please you(odds r they wont care once they see u dont destroy stuff)...worked for my parents, now they support paintball, cuz my mom took a trip to the field and saw how many kids really play...she thought i only wanted one to destroy stuff and i was the only one who wanted one in the world

I can't really return the mag because I'd be buying it used.
I've been trying for 1 and a half years. I'm almost 15, I live in Seattle, WA. The next closest field is about 7 miles from the city. That is one reason my parents don't like paintball. They also don't like the money aspect even though I am spending my own money.

[pntbawlrmz]

heres that site, i used it for a speech. http://www.paint-ball.org/paintball_statistics.htm

[PFAutomag33]

Well, I think it is basically the parents. My parents did ask questions at first (I was in 7th grade when I wanted to play paintball), but they relativly didn't care. I convinced my friend to get a 'gun and when he asked his parents the same thing happened. They said no because of ignorance. A stereotype has been put on paintball and it isn't good.

Just try to convince them. Show them that site pntbawlrmz put up there...I just went there and I was surprised. I have been playing for 3 years now, and my parents know it isn't dangerous. The cool thing about buying paintball stuff is that you can usually go sell it on eBay to close to what you paid for it...so it isn't a complete loss. Also, buy stuff from eBay...you can get a lot of stuff cheap. I bought my gun, it works great. I bought a VL 9v for 10 bucks...other than some wire work that took 5 minutes, that works great. I also bought a 4+1 harness for 10 bucks too. Well, I hope this helps.

John

P/F Automag
cf36472

[ThePatriot]

well foo...next time they say they dont like the money aspect....ask them about the stock market(i'm sure they have stocks) and say if you're so worried about me spending money to what might seem like a waste, why do u gamble alot more money on something as unstable as stocks...it could help you later in life, but paintball could also, teaches cooperation for a job as well as teamwork and effort. (I'm a master swindler at getting what i want from parents) Also i got mine right after i was 15 from ebay..it was a new compact 2k, 32 degrees mask, 9oz co2, and something else for $115. Ne way back to the parents, what reason did they give you for saying no...OH ALSO, are you the oldest in a family? BEING THE OLDEST SUCK SO BAD, I had to force my parents to let me get one at 15...then my 12 year old brother can get a gun no q's asked, and recently my almost 10 year old brother got a compact2k and my parents were fine....its such bull, oldest always have to break the ice, so if ur oldest your gonna have a tough time...

[FooTemps]

I'm youngest child. My older brother played paintball a couple of times when he was in college and that's it. My parents didn't care about it then because he was older than me when he played.

[Flamebo]

7 miles? We should all be so lucky! I have to go 20 miles in any direction before I can even think of seeing a commercial field, which isn't all that bad, but it's much worse than 7. Since you're only 14, my best advice is make friends at the nearest field and have them pick you up when they go play paintball on weekends. That way you won't have to bum a ride from your parents. If they won't give yo umoney, get a job...

[FooTemps]

Dang,

I tried using all your advice and they still are giving the same answers. They're still giving illogical answers. I try to tell them to give me a logical answer and they say that it is useless. They say it's for crazy people to shoot at other people to vent frustration. They also say it's a game that does no good for a person.
Then when I try to say that they're wrong they just close the conversation or stop me in mid sentence with the same thing they said earlier.

The only way to the field is to bum a ride with my friends

[FooTemps]

Lemme start over...

My parents don't like talking about paintball and will try to avoid it at all costs. They will eventually get to the point of threatening me to get away from paintball. I've asked for a logical reason they dont like it and I come up with a half baked reason that came from what my parents think paintball is than what they actually learned.
My dad thinks that it's just a reason for people to shoot at each other. My dad doesn't know the people who play paintball like it because of the game aspect, not the shooting aspect.
My mom says it's too much of a hassle for her. My mom doesn't drive more than 1.5 miles from my home and she wouldn't take care of a paintgun for me either.
I told them paintball is safer than being at home but they don't care. They say paintball is bad because it's paintball.
I tried to let them know paintball builds character but they think that I'm bs'ing and that those are just excuses to go buy a paintball gun and paintball.

[ThePatriot]

well...they give u ill-logical answers because you are their "baby"(sry but its true) and the day u can own a gun type thing you are growing up and they no longer have a baby, all parents go through that, its very hard for them....my littlest brother of my 3 cant do anything suited for his age, hes 8 and my dad still suggests he wear winnie the pooh stuff to school like in pre school....when parents lose their "baby" they feel old..your parents fear it, BUT AT LEAST YOU GET TO PLAY, my parents wouldnt even let me play for 2 years, even tho i wanted to so bad, 2 years of not getting and 15 years of age seems to be the lucky #....try asking for the ability to get a paintball gun as your christmas+birthday present? also sucking up doesnt work, i tried for 3 weeks to suck up so my mom would let me get my learner's permit to drive but shes all like NO UR NOT RESPONSIBLE WHEN UR 16 WE'LL SEE....her answer in logic is, cuz i say so...i know why tho, once i can drive myself places she wont have an excuse to use me as a slave anymore. Example..
"hey mom can we go to the paintball store to get my co2 filled"

"i dont know, i need this room cleaned and perhaps you should clean the garage and we will see"

as you see above...in order to get to where i want to go i must be the slave, if i could drive myself she would have to do it herself(how this relates to ur gun i got no clue but it led up to this kinda)

[Flamebo]

You shouldn't expect your parents to take care of your paintgun, but they should support your hobby. Other than being a fun and exciting pastime, of course it's useless. You aren't going to learn any military skills or go to college by playing paintball, but you'll have a good time and get some exercise. So what exactly won't they do? It sounds like they don't deter you from paintball, they just don't support it. Your only obstacles are a ride and money, which are things you should be able to handle yourself.