12 replies to this topic

[KaptainKrazy]

I have been modding blasters for over three years now, and my parents have been ok with that. Unfortunately, when I made glue dome stefans, that went over the line, and they threw all of those out. I have been making slugs since, which they're ok with. I really want to go to one of the local nerfwars (NJW), but I'm not entirely certain how to convince them to take me without just getting denied instantly. I'm fourteen and the war is about 20 minutes away; any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Edited by KaptainKrazy, 08 October 2012 - 06:21 AM.

[TED]

You should respect your parent's decision. You are living in their house so you just have to accept whatever they decide.

[BiwinningPanda]

Show them that your darts and creations are generally safe. Try to explain to them that there are many safety rules put in place to prevent anything dangerous happening in a war. Good luck!

[thedom21]

I showed my parents that I could be doing much more dangerous activities such as paintball or airsoft. Nerfing is much safer than both of those in MY OPINION. I also had my dad with me at my first war, he wanted to meet everyone there and it just happens he met Beaver who is pretty much the most awesome dude and decided it was good for me to go to wars.

[Daniel Beaver]

Maybe you should show them the Armageddon X video, since it shows how nerf can be both non-threatening and fun. The more information you can give them about it, the more comfortable they're likely to feel towards nerf wars. If not, just wait a couple more years - they'll probably feel a hell of a lot more comfortable about you doing shit like this when you're 16. The NIC will still be around then.

I also had my dad with me at my first war, he wanted to meet everyone there and it just happens he met Beaver who is pretty much the most awesome dude and decided it was good for me to go to wars.

I'm the only respectable person here. The rest of the NIC are pretty much just child molesters.

Edited by Daniel Beaver, 07 October 2012 - 09:14 AM.

[KaptainKrazy]

You should respect your parent's decision. You are living in their house so you just have to accept whatever they decide.

It's not that they have made a desicion yet, it's just that I don' know how to approach them about it. I'm guessing I'll only have one shot at it.

[Curly]

It's not that they have made a desicion yet, it's just that I don' know how to approach them about it. I'm guessing I'll only have one shot at it.

False. You get as many shots as you like, but you shouldn't take them very often. The best thing you can do is nicely ask them to take you to a local war and have them stay to watch. Cleaning the house is an excellent primer for asking them anything. Even if they say no, graciously accept and try again when the next war comes around. Asking them too much dramatically reduces your chances of going, and isn't worth it.

Offer to get your parents in contact with the host(s) directly. The more people agree that nerfing is good the better, and that goes double for older folks. Like others have said, showing them videos or recap threads is a great way to give them insight into nerf wars, just be sure that video series has nothing that your parents would find really offensive. Sexual innuendo and whatnot are not part of the war experience, but the odd time somebody cracks a joke it tends to make it into videos/recap threads. Understand that nerfers say silly things too, but they are more reserved when kids are around.

Once they let you go to a war (don't assume this will happen soon), introduce them to the host and other nerfers that have a socially-acceptable air about them. Not that you should expect to meet anybody at a war that isn't respectable, but the well-trimmed guy in his late 20s will make a good first impression compared to somebody younger. Pedos are not part of the nerf scene, it's just not as easy to convince your parents of that.

If you can give them the chance to play and they enjoy it they'll either want you to enjoy it as well, or (ideally) want to play of their own accord, giving you consistent rides and bonding. Don't expect them to want to play, but at least give them the chance should they want to.

Safety can be a pretty easy egg to crack, especially if people use slugs. Hosts usually are very good about protective eye wear and other things. Mention to them that (here in Canada at least) you can "barrel tap" an opponent instead of hitting them point blank. Shooting yourself for them can be a good example, just be smart with what you use.


When you feel they're in a good mood to say yes to something, then go. Don't push your luck like I did because it will make them less receptive to the same question in the future. At the end of the day though, you need to keep what TED said in mind. They are trying to help you be safe, you just don't see eye-to-eye on the overall safety of nerf. Worst case scenario, you wait until you move out to nerf. You'll be a mod wizard by then anyway, so getting started will be easy.

[evilbunnyo]

I had possesion of nerf guns for about 2 years before I really started getting into it. When I did my parents weren't to happy about it. My dad tried to make me quit by having me play paintball but that only convinced me more. I eventually convinced my mom to drive me to one of heros nj wars. After that one my mom understood why I liked it and was more supportive. It also helped that she met the head of the forums at the war. My dad still was sketchy about it but my mom made him go to apoc with me and he finally saw what I did and why I liked it. Just be patient with your parents. If they won't let you actively participate why don't you first try to let them see a war. I'm sure hero and the rest of the nj guys would be more that happy to explain to your parents.

[shmmee]

Drop some emphasis on the educational benifit. You don't gain much pre-engineering experience or problem solving skills with airsoft or paintball. It's also way cheaper than any of the other more established shooting hobbies.

[Langley]

Talk your friends into nerfing, and play with unmodified blasters. This should be step one for everyone.

[XproXglassX]

Basically what everyone is saying is true. I used to not be able to have any kind of toy gun, not even one that didn't shoot anything. I finally convinced them to give me a chance to get something by working my ass off and being good. Then finally at a garage sale they had a couple Nerf Guns and they let me get them. I convinced them to let me get more by not shooting in the house, sometimes, no wars in the house no shooting at face, ect. You can do many things, good grades, be nice to siblings and/or parents, chores, make money and tell them you will pay the gas. Many other ways that I can't post them all. But yea...

[andtheherois]

Considering you're 20 minutes away, I would suggest making a deal with them. Have them come out to an NJW to see what it's like. If they don't like it, then the most theyve wasted is an hour on a Saturday. There'll most likely be other patents there as well that they can talk to and help convince them that nerfing is a safe and acceptable hobby.

[VACC]

Alright, this advice column has run its course. I'm infinitely uncomfortable with a bunch of 20 something guys talking a 14 year old through convincing his parents to let them hang out, over the internet.