Need help with parents!!!

[joeh19012]

[#ditto] Hey, lovintrains!

I am going along with everyone else's posts here. This is not The World's Greatest Hobby for nothing. I learned how to use power tools, how things are put together, and how to fix all kinds of stuff around the house because I was "playing with trains."

All the good suggestions are right on the money: this hobby requires the use of so many different skills in so many different areas that you have to learn something. Plus, you can spend more time on those aspects you like versus those you don't like as much.

If you're into
Electronics: DCC, signalling and detection systems are something that you can install and build yourself, all the while learning about digital circuits and solid state components like transistors and diodes. If you can wire a remote controlled turnout, you can wire a telephone extension or an additional cable TV jack.
Carpentry: benchwork, geometry, trigonometry.
History: modeling a prototype, period architecture, period vehicles, clothing, advertising, etc.
Art: scenery, dioramas, detailing scenes, etc.
Architecture: building kits, kitbashing, scratchbuilding, etc.

These are all skills that can get you JOBS, help you get into college, and stay with you for life by helping you live in a house. For now, you develop skills that you can use to help your parents.

Good luck! [:)][^][8D]

[davekelly]

Here's an additional thought. Start working on a little project and then ask dad for some help. As a dad, I can tell you that that is the best thing a son can say. Of course doing this does have some hazards - he may get too involved!!

There's nothing better than kids and parents doing something creative together - memories to last a lifetime (thanks Dad!).

[TrainFreak409]

Let's see,

You will be engaging an a healthy hobby that will increase your responsibility, creativity, imagination, and respect for money. Participating in the hobby, and joining clubs and organizations about such, will further develop your social skills, and help you make new friends.

Or, you could ask them, "Would you rather me play with trains in the basement, or go out and tra***he school with a bunch of irresponsible punk kids?"

[Anonymous]

Well my mom is kinda a neat freak and is afraid of me running a me in her basement. I have vouluntered to clean twice a week my area and the rest of the basement. I got a "i'll think about it" Yeah!!!! Halfway there. My dad is harder to convince. By the way TrainFreak409 were did u get ur csx loco in the pic.

[davekelly]

lovintrains,

Good for you! Of course, don't forget any of the promises you made. Showing that you are as good as your word is more important than the initial negotiations.

[selector]

Ok, let's up the ante a bit. Ask each of them, when you can corner them in one room, this question, "What would you need from me in order to support me to construct a layout for model trains?"

It should prove interesting, and gets right to the heart of the matter.

[icmr]

lovintrains,
Yes, there is a manufacturer of cork roadbed, Midwest Products.
They have a website www.midwestproducts.com

[waltersrails]

Here is my web site http://ztrainman.tripod.com/ hope it helps and good luck to u with your parents.

[RedLeader]

Here's my advice from experience:

Take your Dad to a MR show and then to a LHS. When you get home full of MR stuff your Dad paid, and your Mom sees your Dad's proud smile, showing the best Dad/Son project you can ever imagine, she will be at your side that same day.

[Anonymous]

I will offer this. As a model railroad nut this hobby kept me out of trouble in high school. My parents let me have the whole basement to build a rr. They knew where I was and what I was doing, and who I was doing it with.

When my friends started hanging around other people whose idea of fun was drinkin alcohol and driving around town, it was easy for me to say no and lose this group of friends. I had my basement empire to retreat to.

Someone said show me your friends today and I will show you your life 20 years from now. Whell, 35 years ago model railroading was the center of my life and my friendships. Today my friends are mostly model rails in a social setting and I host monthly op sessions on my basement layout. I also kept out of trouble with drugs and alcohol. Not saying this will do it, but for me it helped along with good parenting.