How to Convince Your Parents to Let You Play Paintball
Having you been dying to go check out paintball, but don’t know how to convince your parents to let you? Many of us teenage paintballers have struggled with this age old issue. For whatever reason, parents (especially moms) don’t seem to be very excited by the concept of having their sons or daughters run around and cover each other in paint. Crazy right? As such, I thought it would be a wise idea to pass on some of the tips we’ve found over the years to the younger generation so as many people can play paintball as possible.
#1: Know what you’re talking about
Chances are, your folks won’t know much about paintball. They may not have even heard of the sport before. Therefore, if you’re going to try and convince your parents you need to be the expert. The more information you can give them the better. Tell them what it is, how the rules work, what everyone does to keep themselves safe, etc. It’s important that your parents don’t just think they’re sending you off to play war and get bruised with your friends, (At least it is if your parents are anything like mine) Just remember that information = cooperation.
#2: Offer a way to pay for it
One big reason why some people don’t get involved in paintball is because of the large price tag that comes with it. Having to drop $50ish for a sport each time you play it doesn’t help the cause when you’re trying to convince your parents to let you play in the first place. And of course, that doesn’t even count the initial investment if you buy your own gear. While you don’t necessarily have to cover the costs directly, offering to do something in return for your parents can be a good convincing tactic. EX: Mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, cleaning the house etc.
#3: Get a testimonial from someone credible
Sometimes if you’ve spent ages trying to convince your folks to let you play paintball, they’ll start to get tired of the whole concept in general and simply shut down. In times like these, it can be helpful to get someone else to help argue your case. (Two brains are better than one) Maybe this means asking one of your friends to talk to your parents and just answer their questions, or maybe you can convince your friend’s parents to talk to yours, (assuming they’re okay with paintball). Just remember, the more people you have on your side the more credible you will seem.
#4: Show them what you’re going to be doing
It’s also important that your parents have a general idea of what the sport is all about. This is when the internet and YouTube become your best friends. You can watch videos first that give a good representation of what paintball is about and then show them to your parents. Of course, always watch the videos you want to show them first, so you know they won’t hurt your cause.
#5: Don’t badger them, or expect an immediate answer
Patience is a virtue. Sometimes it’s very hard to be patient, but if you can hold out, then chances are it’ll be worth it. Remember to take it slow, it might take more than one conversation about paintball convince your parents to let you play. Know your parents and their limits, and if they start to get frustrated with you going on and on about paintball, then stop and come back to it in a couple of days. Within no time, they should come around and you’ll be playing paintball with the pros.