16 replies to this topic

[MFRnync]

I'll preface this post by saying that it is a bit of a rant because I need to dispose of some built up frustration over a an issue Ive been having involving Airsoft. I host airsoft games on privatley owned property with the permisson of the owners every other weekend of the month from 9-4, the games usually attract a large number of participants and it has generally been our policy that no player under the age of fourteen is allowed to participate without a responsible adult. That being said, my neighbor has an 11 year old son who was interested in playing at the field but she was unable to acompany him being a working single parent. I foolishly tried to be kind and said I would allow him to play if she would sign a waiver of release and understand that he may be exposed to harsh/vulgar languge, adult conversation etc. ( boys will be boys type of things). So, this past sunday her son shows up to the game in jeans and a T-shirt sporting a BE Aug airsoft rifle super 9 pro V2 "loser rifle" and NBB pistol, the make of which I cant recall. The majority of the players wear full batlle dress to games and almost everyone carry's high end Aeg's/Gbb's. Nevertheless we welcome the kid to the game and put him on a team with a group of experienced players hopeing they will help mentor him. The day seems to go fine and every time I ask the kid responds thast he is having a great time. I even buy him lunch and volunteer to take him home at the end of the day so that is mother can take care of her other children! I swear I had not been home for an hour and was entertaining my girlfriend and some other company when my mother comes down the stairs and informs me that the boys mother is ont he phone and upset. Not sure what she would be angry about pickup the phone only to be screamed at. " what the hell goes on at these games?, my son is cut and bruised all over, his knee is torn open". " Im sorry, slow down please, I wasnt aware he hurt himself , if I had been I would have been happy to help". " OOO Im sure of that, just like you helped him learn the wonderful languge hes been using, how dare you use explicatives in front of my son. "Ok hold on just a second, you were informed that he very well might be exposed to that kind of behavior and its part of the reason we normally require parents to be with young children". Who has time for that?, were not all rich you knowwww. I expect an aplogy, at that point I was so angry I hung up and havent called her back. Any advice?

[meiser5]

If it were me, I would go over and just try to speak to her and explain to her what you had told her previously when you warned her about the " adult language and other vulgar acts that may not be suitable for children under the age of 14" when she first met with you. If she still does not agree with you or will not even listen to you, then just tell her or have your parents tell her that you will not allow her son to go with you guys to play airsoft and not to ask you for any favors ever again to make sure something like this never happens to stop any problem before they start.
Be sure to talk to her in person if you can.

And one final tip, stick to the rules you and your friends set, they are there for a reason.


Meiser---

[Lancaster]

I would solve this like I solve all my problems: a precise, calculated spinning back kick to the jaw. No problem. She won't bother you anymore, trust me.



I mean, really, this works in everyday life. Math. . . Girlfriend troubles. . . even religion based issues; spinning back kicks solve them all.

[meiser5]

Lancaster, he was asking for some serious advice, I know you are joking but post helpful advice nextime.


Meiser RIP Steve Irwin...

[Lancaster]

Lancaster, he was asking for some serious advice, I know you are joking but post helpful advice nextime.


Meiser RIP Steve Irwin...

Oh...Sorry to you, MFRnync, and to you, Meiser.



If I were you, I just wouldn't do anything about her, she was warned. If this is how she really responded to a few bruises and some 'cussing' she is not the kind to be persuaded or reasoned with.



Are you sure you're telling us the whole story?

[TED]

Lancaster, he was asking for some serious advice, I know you are joking but post helpful advice nextime.


Meiser RIP Steve Irwin...

Who cares if he is joking its a stupid topic anyway.

[Falcon]

I (personally) would say you probably should've kept him on your team all day. He would've had someone to follow around (whether you like it or not) all day who could (hopefully) be a good influence on him. I'm sure you could exhibit enough self-control to keep yourself from personally using such language and all. Being the one person at the field he knew he would've followed you as a role model, and respected the way you act more than the way your fellow airsofters acted. Thus, he would've gone home a good deal cleaner.

As for getting all messed up, I'd suggest you make sure to inform people as to what to wear and all. He had no clue. When inviting new people to nerf wars, I specify absolutely EVERYTHING that they should bear in mind, including what to wear.

Now personally, my ultimate solution is simple: have him tag along to NERF games. 11-year-olds really shouldn't be airsofting at all. Granted, I (personally) think no one should really, but that's just my own little nerf-bias.

Hope everything but that last part helps! But who knows...maybe the last part will...

[moubeus5018]

Tell her to shut the hell up because you WERNT suppost to let kids under 14 play, and you allowed him to play AFTER signing a waiver. Her problem because she signed it. It is no responcibliltiy to you with 'dat waiver.

[blinkycc13]

About the language, shes wrong, as I'm sure its nothing he hasnt heard at school before (unless hes homeschooled). But either way, thats why there is a waiver.

[MFRnync]

Falcon, I appreciate the advice, I think ? Although I do find the no one should be playing airsoft statement a bit frustrating. Perhaps I shoul have kept him on my team, but the fact of the matter is he dosent know me, he heard about the games (I bielive) thorugh word of mouth and the internet and than had his mother aproach me about allowing him to play. I was happy to try and mentor him in the game of airsoft but Im angry that I went the extra mile and was repaid with greif from his mother. Honestly, the languge was unavoidable, we all use it, its just subconciously bonded into the way we speak on the field because of the high levels of adrenaline and emotion that are flowing. I get a simmilar ush from nerf, though the pain factor is lower so the resulting languge is usually a bit more tame.

[Forsaken angel24]

Shouldn't this be on an airsoft forum?

I hate parents like that. They dont pay any attention untill they are confronted with their faults, but in their eyes it can't be their fault, so they look to the first person to blame. I have little to no faith in people.

[euphemism]

Shouldn't this be on an airsoft forum?

To be fair, it's in off topic.

Anyway, I hate overly annoying people like how that kid's mom sounds. Then again, who doesn't?

[Pineapple]

Hey MFR, we've been feeling a bit cranky nowadays, haven't we? First cocky store employees, now parents having a conniption over an airsoft experience?

Looks like life is throwing you a couple of shots of reality to see how you'll react.

Get used to it. Life is tough. But throwing a punch or a back kick (like one of the members suggested) will only show the world how immature you are. So keeping your cool = grown up.

I (personally) would say you probably should've kept him on your team all day. He would've had someone to follow around (whether you like it or not) all day who could (hopefully) be a good influence on him. I'm sure you could exhibit enough self-control to keep yourself from personally using such language and all. Being the one person at the field he knew he would've followed you as a role model, and respected the way you act more than the way your fellow airsofters acted. Thus, he would've gone home a good deal cleaner.

Geeze Falcon, you're beginning to sound like me. Did you rob some of my brain cells?

That was the best advice possible. Listen to the young man.

As for getting all messed up, I'd suggest you make sure to inform people as to what to wear and all. He had no clue. When inviting new people to nerf wars, I specify absolutely EVERYTHING that they should bear in mind, including what to wear.

I know you learned a very valuable lesson in this, MFR.

1) Shit happens.

2) You prepare for everything the best you can, but shit still happens.

Just learn what you can, suck it up for this round, call it a draw, and you can decide if you ever want to take on a "good big-brother role" again. It can suck sometimes, but the very least you giving this kid an airsoft experience to remember should meke it worthwhile.

Now personally, my ultimate solution is simple: have him tag along to NERF games. 11-year-olds really shouldn't be airsofting at all. Granted, I (personally) think no one should really, but that's just my own little nerf-bias. (emphasis from Piney)

Yeah, I know the kid is reading my mind now. Sheeeooot.


-Piney-

[The Infinite Shindig]

The last time I checked, this wasn't a blog site. If it has in my absence, cx will be getting a resignation letter from me shortly...

[MFRnync]

The last time I checked, this wasn't a blog site. If it has in my absence, cx will be getting a resignation letter from me shortly...

Granted, but, I did post in the off topic fourm which is specifically intended for non nerf topics. If it offends you so deeply you could, oo, I dont know, perhaps not bother reading it? Thankyou for the advice piney , the very reason I hung up was to avoid stooping to her level and engageing in name calling or any other ridicullos conversation.

[NerfMonkey]

The last time I checked, this wasn't a blog site. If it has in my absence, cx will be getting a resignation letter from me shortly...

If it offends you so deeply you could, oo, I dont know, perhaps not bother reading it?

You don't talk back to admins.

This could have been posted somewhere else or you could have even *gasp* asked someone in REAL LIFE for advice! You could have gotten some dandy advice from your "parents" or even "friends" that could possibly have been even better than that on a Nerf forum (not to say Falcon and Pineapple's words weren't good advice).

The point is, Shindig HAS to bother reading it, that's what admins do: keep the site in order and keep crap like this off of the forums. So don't tell him things like "don't bother reading it."

[Illadar]

Now why do I remember reading that the off topic section was for non-war game stuff, not just non-nerf.