Parents Need Some Convincing...

[Saimouer]

Alright, so I'm a teenager.

I like to think I'm a fairly responsible one. I have a 4.0 in school, I have held down a part time job for a year now, I'm a member of numerous community service groups, well respected among my peers and our general community, yadada..

I have a fairly large personal savings, and recently I have taken an interest in Bearded Dragons. My parents are flamboyantly herpaphobic, but I figured that they might be able to look past that with some convincing. I wrote a 10 page essay on Beardie husbandry, and gave them a very large presentation on it. I seriously tried to prove to them that I knew what I was talking about. But my mother still will not allow it because she "thinks they're gross" and "doesn't want them in the house because she doesn't like them".

I'm at wit's ends.. I'm not asking for their help at all - I'm willing and ready to take all of the financial and physical burdens. There's no reason for their continued denying of my request other than their irrational fear of reptiles.

I feel that there's a lot worse things that a teenager could want to do compared to owning a reptile.
Any ideas on how I can convince them to at least tolerate a Beardie's presence?

 

[Killzone3265]

honestly, just show them around this site. pick out a few threads with funny stories about peoples beardies and hopefully theyll understand how great the lil guys are

 

[daner923]

Hmm that's a tough one. I would like to ask you one thing, though, to make sure you think through it before you buy a beardie. It sounds like you've done a lot of research, but one thing to consider is this: They live about 10 years. If you are planning to go to college, most students are required to live in a dorm first year, which will almost certainly have a no pets allowed policy. If that is the case, what do you plan on doing with your beardie, since your parents clearly don't seem like they would want to take care of it? I'm not trying to dissuade you from ever getting one, but I think it may be one of those things that is best to wait for until you can make sure it will have a reliable home for its entire life. I know it sucks, but I really do think it is something to at least consider.

 

[Fizzylady]

Would it be possible to foster one for a little while? Any local shelters around you looking for that kind of help? Your parents might be more receptive if they know they aren't "stuck" with it in the house if it's as bad as they feared. It might also be a solution if you are planning on going away to college soon. You can have some experience and make a difference to a beardie in need but not have to worry about what to do with it if you can't take it away with you.

Sorry honey ... I'm 31 and I've always wanted a beardie and I'm just getting one for the first time next week! So I do know how you feel. If this doesn't work out to be the right time in your life to get one don't give up!

 

[Spikey92]

You might even have a breeder or petsstore close by so you can go with your parents and show them "real" beardies.you might even be able to handle them and maybe you can get your parents to pet them as well so they know that they dont feel "gross".
Maybe you can ask your parents what exactly they fear the most? Like what do they think is "gross" about them?
I understand that some people dont like snakes or spiders but Beardies? How can u not like them with their cute little face and personalities?

 

[Nattyklis]

i know you really want a bearded dragon but her house, her rules. When you get a place of your own you can have one but until then wait. If your parents say no and arn't being convinced its not your fault, you really tried hard. It will make your relationship with a beadie so much better when you can get one.

 

[jezwolf175]

Sorry to hear about that but it really is difficult to convince people who are strong in their conviction. I had to wait until I moved out because my mom does not like scaly things. i wrote essays, did chores, did good in school, etc and it was to no prevail. Unfortunately if your mom does not waver you might as well be convincing a brick wall. To someone who has this phobia for a long time may never be convinced. Not saying it is impossible but it is how most situations turn out.

Try:
Bringing her to a reptile show. (make sure you pay for entry)
Go have dinner somewhere and chat about it in an environment where they are less likely to snap back.(again pay)
Show youtube vids or this site
Do some chores without them saying anything
Butter 'em up (not literally lol)
If all else fails save up for an apartment of your own.

And if they do not want to talk about it anymore, leave it alone for awhile. Bring it back up at a later more calm time. You will not get anywhere by constantly bringing up the subject. It may just drive them to say no forever.

 

[roxiemom]

Sorry to hear about that but it really is difficult to convince people who are strong in their conviction. I had to wait until I moved out because my mom does not like scaly things. i wrote essays, did chores, did good in school, etc and it was to no prevail. Unfortunately if your mom does not waver you might as well be convincing a brick wall. To someone who has this phobia for a long time may never be convinced. Not saying it is impossible but it is how most situations turn out.

Try:
Bringing her to a reptile show. (make sure you pay for entry)
Go have dinner somewhere and chat about it in an environment where they are less likely to snap back.(again pay)
Show youtube vids or this site
Do some chores without them saying anything
Butter 'em up (not literally lol)
If all else fails save up for an apartment of your own.

And if they do not want to talk about it anymore, leave it alone for awhile. Bring it back up at a later more calm time. You will not get anywhere by constantly bringing up the subject. It may just drive them to say no forever.

I like this idea. Do this!

 

[bunnyrut]

bearded dragons are cleaner than cats and dogs.

they don't pee everywhere and leave surprises in your shoes.
they don't leave hair everywhere.
they don't make noise, aside from the glass scratching.
they don't smell unless you never clean their cage and leave them in their own filth. (sand will make them smell)
they sleep all night, so in a way they are better than a baby.

and if you keep it in your room your parents will never really know it's there.

my grandmother has the mindset that all reptiles are dirty. she never approved of my iguana and when i had to move to Florida to live with her i couldn't bring him with me.

 

[garrett15]

My parents were not hard to convense once they saw a juvie in person they thought they were cute and once I told them it would take a year to get full grown.After I got it the same day I went to my grandparents house and my dads mom who hates reptiles as soon as she saw it she got it from me and held it for the longest i was shocked so just tell them every thing you know about them and taking them to a reptile show is a great idea so just keep trying I hope you get one soon.Ps and tell them you will start out with a small one the best age to get one is 2-3 months old.

 

[garrett15]

My parents were not hard to convense once they saw a juvie in person they thought they were cute and once I told them it would take a year to get full grown.After I got it the same day I went to my grandparents house and my dads mom who hates reptiles as soon as she saw it she got it from me and held it for the longest i was shocked so just tell them every thing you know about them and taking them to a reptile show is a great idea so just keep trying I hope you get one soon.Ps and tell them you will start out with a small one the best age to get one is 2-3 months old.dont pester them tough that always turnes my parents off :roll: :roll:

 

[invertedpanda]

Just look for cute beardie videos online. Ones where they snuggle with family pets and whatnot. Here's one of mine playing in the bathtub http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCeucv9ua84&list=UUIq6ohoggbo7eXs42ogGqpQ&index=1

 

[MissRubyPirate]

My mom was strictly anti-reptile as well, I had one of my friends bring a couple of her dragons over to show her how mellow and laid-back they really are. After that and a little convincing, I ended up bringing home one of the two dragons my friend had brought over

My mom still won't touch her, but she tolerates her more now and has even mentioned her being "cute" once.