Need help with parents!!!

[Anonymous]

gangsta rap group? Following them around? yuck. Now I know I am old.

I guess I can say.. following "The Boss" and his E street band around. How's that? The money I spent in the tapes, holders, radio with players and other accessories probably can fund a fully functional layout back then.

Keep the folks AWAY from the really expensive stuff. I cannot stress that enough. If they did catch sight of the BLI engine chugging and pumping air on the Hobby Shop's track while having a 400.00 price tag attached to it... calmly explain to the fainting parents that Ebay probably has the same engine for more than half off without the tax (Shipping? eh.)

[ARTHILL]

Good suggestions. Do you know why they are opposed. My kids learned that I listened the best when they to talked about my concerns, not their wants. If they are into sarcasm you might suggest that you have lost interest in MRR and want to follow a gangsta rap group around.
Good luck, it can be done, I convinced my parents, my kids convinced me, My Gkids convince their parents and I got room in my basement from my wife. It can be done.

[robengland]

As I explained to my son, you need to present your case in terms of what's in it for your parents, not for you, so as listed above:
- know where you are
- tidy basement
- easy present-buying

and one I'd add to think about:
- something for you and your Dad or Granddad or siblings to share???

[Texas Zepher]

[#ditto] what claycts said.

You didn't say what level in school you were in but perhaps you could trade with your school grades. Say, "Model Railroading will help me improve my school grades because I'll be using math, writing, research skills". Let them know it won't interfear with your school work.

In 7th grade metals shop I designed and fabricated sheet metal HO scale bridges.
In 9th grade my final project for drafting class was a full basement design to model Santa Fe's Raton Pass.
In 10th grade I used my free lance railroad as the subject of a short story written as the final project for English class, "A Fan Trip on the Pine Ridge". I used MR problems to help me understand the geometry proofs.
In 11th grade American Government my final project was a display of the evolution of the American railroad and how it changed the politics of the country. In Publications class I made field trips to the local RR station to write articles for the school paper on the Rock Island railroad going broke and what it meant to the community.
This continued through out school. My last paper, just last year, for a Master's level finance class was "An Economic Comparison of the CSX and Norfolk Southern Railroads after the Conrail Aquisitions".

Also you don't have to have a layout to make really cool models to prove to your parents that is it just more than a passing fad. We didn't have a basement and I had an 8'x9' room so was very limited on space. I built a 2'x8' layout that went over my bed.

Model responsibly, keep your school work on track, and earn their respect for your modeling interests.

[claycts]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lovintrains

My parents arent to keen on giving me a area in the basement for my ho layout. What are some good ideas to help convince themm to let me build. i have a weel planed out plan. This will be my first real layout.[:D]

50 years ago I had the same problem, I used the TRADE SYSTEM, I want this, what do you want that I can trade for? I t cost me some house painting, grass cutting and such but I did get the space and some extras because I did good job for them.
Good luck!
P.S. DO NOT SHOW THEM ANY BRASS PRICES!!! They will have a cow!!

[Anonymous]

All the above are good ideas and if they don't work I would suggest getting a structure kit and building it. You get a little experiance modeling and you demonstrate to the parents that you are serious and will follow through.

I would also reccomend building your layout in modules. If you are as green at this as I am (I started in January) your skills will improve rapidly as you go. By the time you have compleated your third module you will want to go back and redo the first to your new standards.

Good Luck.

[Anonymous]

If you take your parents to the hobbyshop and show them what switches and track you plan to use in your plan as well as the different features of your layout, they will be much supportive.

DO try to keep them away from the Brass Display (If there is anything really expensive, we dont want to scare them... that will come later when you grow up)

[selector]

[#ditto] what UKGuy said.

If I may add some thoughts, you may be able to call upon another subject in which you persevered, somethng that you accomplished for which they have given you credit and praise. If you have no other history of that nature, then your task will be very much an uphill battle.

Still, as Karl points out, you might ask to meet with them in a semi-formal way, say around the dining room table/kitchen table, and show them a reasoned plan, including steps, some pretty well nailed down costs, and maybe some reinforcing e-mails from this forum to back up what you are saying. Their fears (if any), may lie in your naivete, or what they assume is a lack of experience and knowledge. Nip this in the bud.

Try to anticipate what their reluctance or objections will hinge upon, and methodically reduce them to doing the 'guppy"...you know, when their eyes go wide and their mouths open and close several times? [:D] Do this by having a firm plan, including schematics, and a list of costs (DO NOT BLOW SMOKE UP THEIR BUTTS ON THE COSTS!!!!!). Present it to them with excitement, but with an ability to answer all their questions and allaying all of their concerns.

If you do all of this, and they refuse, then you know you have not undercut yourself with half-measures or poor communications. They just won't support you at this time.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

You might try breaking down the plan into small sections and build them as modules that you can connect together as you demonstrate some skills and reponsibility in the execution of the layout. A four or eight foot long by one or two foot wide section that could be a switching area so that you would be able to "run" some trains, do some scenery, and populate with some buildings and industries. Ask for a small section not the whole thing!
Will

[ukguy]

To name but a few good reasons off hand, tell them :-

they'll know where you are and what you are doing (nothing illegal or health damaging to worry about)
You will learn many skills for future life, ie, woodworking, electronics, painting skills, project assembly, (Dad will appreciate that next time Mom buys the next "flat pack" item of furniture), to name but a few.
It will teach you dedication, perseverance, patience, planning skills, concentration, amongst others, all of which can be transfered to educational benefits.
They will know what to buy you for bithdays, christmas, etc.
Did I mention they will know where you are and what you are doing, a big concern for teenagers parents. (though you didnt mention your age)
Offer to clean/tidy the rest of the basement as you do the area for yourself.
The magazines they find under your bed will be MR.

That should get you started, I'm sure others will chip in with everything else I havent mentioned.

Have fun, be safe & good luck.
Karl.

[Anonymous]

My parents arent to keen on giving me a area in the basement for my ho layout. What are some good ideas to help convince themm to let me build. i have a weel planed out plan. This will be my first real layout.[:D]