Parents and Me (long rant)

[LeahK]

That is actually a very good idea. But, I have no aquarium maintenance books and don't really want to spend a good 30 dollars on a book to prove my point instead of spending on plants, equipment, etc...

Check out the library. I was browsing some older fish books from 20+ years ago, and they still have all the info on the nitrification cycle and regular tank maintenance that we endorse today.
You said your parents had a tank 14 years ago? Maybe if you show them a really old library book that backs up your tank practices, they'll realize that not only are they wrong NOW, but they were wrong back THEN, too!
But, failing that, be thankful that they are only lecturing you and bugging you, but not actually preventing you from keeping your tanks. Sometimes we have to pick our battles, especially with parents. And sometimes it's easier just to smile and nod, and then change the subject. :lipssealedsmilie:

 

[Mokomon]

I'm sorry.
I understand your frustration, and although I don't have the answers, I do know that NEVER give up what you truly enjoy, despite the negative feedback
You will always regret it, trust me.

Enjoy YOUR hobby

 

[avionics30]

I haven't heard anyone say get a job and your own credit card! These days even check cards can be used on line. That being said, once you do get your own funding set up, check out ebay. They have great deals on stuff. Good luck!

 

[red_wall]

I haven't heard anyone say get a job and your own credit card! These days even check cards can be used on line. That being said, once you do get your own funding set up, check out ebay. They have great deals on stuff. Good luck!

I did want to do this, but it would be THEIR address that it was shipped to. I do think they have a valid point. I can get a check card, but I'd have to put down their address as my place of residence (which for some reason they don't like). And I think that you have to be 18 to get your own check card, unless you have parental permission. I'll check with my parents to see if they can guide me, if not, I'll just do it myself.

As an added plus, a lot of the businesses around here are closing, forcing adults to take jobs normally taken by teenagers. Not to mention me playing football all the time, I've been trying to get a job since I was 15 (17 now) Nobody will hire me because of my lack of experience(and my crazy schedule), but how can I get any experience when nobody will hire me? Haha.
I do do odd jobs, so that's somewhat of a source of income.

i honestly can say that my parents dont really give a thought about it either, so dont feel bad.

I wish mine wouldn't. : /

Go into the TOTM archives and print some of the previous planted tank entries and winners..
Show those pictures to your parents, and explain that this is the type of tank you are trying to achieve, and ask them if thier tank looked like that 20 years ago...

That actually might work.

show them this thread lol, that should work.

I'm really thinking about doing it haha.

 

[Dwarf Puffers]

Good luck. You could always go to a book store and browse the fish books and show them all of the things they're fighting about. That might shut them up, and it's freeeee!

Go into the TOTM archives and print some of the previous planted tank entries and winners..
Show those pictures to your parents, and explain that this is the type of tank you are trying to achieve, and ask them if thier tank looked like that 20 years ago...

LOL, :iagree:

 

[pam916]

IMO, instead of arguing with your parents, try being extra nice, respectful and considerate in ways that they cannot ignore. You always get more bees with honey.

 

[Ezekielz]

This is exactly how I feel. However now that I am 18 and going to school while having a job, my mom lets me do my own thing. As long as everything is getting payed for and I am taking care of my own things (car, gas, school payments, etc...) she wont say a word! Try and get a job or something, this should make your parents ease up on you. Perhaps your parents are stressed about something in their lifes and take it out on you? Do your parents get along well?

Just remember, all the things we learn from our parents, we will know how to treat our kids so they don't have to go through the same bs we do! Atleast, thats how I look at it!

If you can't find a job, try doing extra chores! Parents like coming home from a hard day at work into a nice clean home!

 

[chefjamesscott]

a thought for you put a contest up with them to see who can make the best tank ask them if they could set a tank they way they used to so you could learn from them and vice versa

try to print of some pics and some threads and just hand it whichever parent you are closer to in talkin with just to show them

never know it might just peak their dormant fish keeper an strike off a blaze of mts

 

[Dwarf Puffers]

I like the "I make a tank you make a tank" idea, except for the excessive amounts of dying fish :duh:

 

[murraycod]

Do you have a grandparent close by with whom you can spend time and to whom you are especially close? Considering your degree of frustration, I'd look at designing your tank with them. What a lovely way to enjoy their company. An added bonus might be that as they see your abilities and committment established, they gently work for your cause with your folks, their son or daughter. Never ask your grandparent for money, nor accept it if offered. You'll earn their respect ten fold. You're self-funded, so for the moment, work without online facilities.
Your folks would do well to follow some of the previous advice. Blueiz offer is very considerate. It'd also be helpful if your grandparent could help your folks understand that in aquaria, we're interacting with a living system. There will be mistakes made and problems with the system will arise....but we learn and we move on, and in that is the joy, otherwise we'd have plastic fish. It's a dynamic, evolving, problem-solving, learning, communicating trip. The biggest mistake you could make would be to abandon it.