How to convince a parent?

[StrangeKat]

I really want a cavy. Badly. I've been thinking about it for about six months and recently I've decided to try to bring up the idea to my Dad. He said maybe, and we haven't discussed it further. I get good grades (A's & B's), keep my room clean, do my chores (and sometimes extra), rarely get in trouble, and take good care of my cat. I have been collecting information online for months now, I even wrote my own leaflet on cavy care to give to my Dad to show that I know what this animal needs and that im willing to take responsibility for it. I also have calculated the starting cost and the monthly cost, and am planning to buy and setup everything myself. I should only be living with him for one more year, if that, so I don't see what the big deal is. Can anyone give me suggestions on what else I can do to convince him? He comes home from Alaska in two days and I would like some ideas before then. I am seriously considering hosting a family board meeting and doing a presentation with an overhead projector and some nifty pie charts. Arf. =o/

 

[Piglet]

Wow! You sound so responsible - I'm surprised that you haven't got any pigs yet! I suggest doing some sort of PowerPoint presentation with all the facts. Show him that you definately know your stuff. I'm sure your dad will give you the answer you want

 

[StrangeKat]

Thanks, for the most part I am responsible but we all slip up sometimes. *pictures self in a two-piece suit with a pointer stick giving presentation* Hehe, now thats an image!

 

[Piglet]

I can so imagine that! With the glasses and everything...

 

[dagwellismypigy]

Just a thought, but if you are moving to another home are you going to be willing to take the pigs with you, if you are moving out will you be able to support them? If you know that in the near future there will be a major transition in your life maybe now isn't the best time for new pets.

Have you asked your dad specifically why you can't get guinea pigs? It's particularly hard when you get the "because I said so." Try thinking of all the possible reasons your dad is saying no and write down how you can handle that specific problem. For example if you think an issue might be money offer to pay for them and write out the budget.

Don't bug him about it to much, only ask once or twice a week, begging is never good.

 

[StrangeKat]

Yes, I have plans for the pigs when I move out, they will be either A) Coming to college with me (I have talked with the disabilities office at the college I may be attending, I have permission to keep them as therapy animals) or B) Moving into my boyfriends with me, whichever comes first. My Dad is hesitant bacause hes' not a huge fan of animals, and his girlfriend's daughter has her own collection stored on our porch. I asked him about 3 weeks ago, so when he comes home and settles back in im going to try again.

 

[Piglet]

Begging worked for me! Constant begging for 2 weeks made my mum go crazy and say yes. But that's the sort of thing I do anyway!

 

[littlebear]

I think you have done enough if he does not say yes I think that is dumb to say!

 

[StrangeKat]

Thanks for the advice guys, hopefully when I ask tommorrow he'll say yes. *crosses fingers* Wish me luck! =o)

 

[smileyface cavy]

Begging worked for me too!

Begging worked for me! Constant begging for 2 weeks made my mum go crazy and say yes. But that's the sort of thing I do anyway!

 

[LuvMyPiggers]

I semi begged. It was kind of an impulse buy. I saw the poor piggies and the living conditions and picked up one having no idea how to take care of it. I asked my parents on the cell phone. Heh. Glad I found this site

 

[StrangeKat]

He's coming home in... *looks at watch* ... 7 hours! Meep! I just talked to him last night, and he sounded like he was in a good mood. I'll try to catch him while he's still jet lagged. =o)

 

[Piglet]

Good plan *smirks* Cook him some food too!

 

[Lizzie]

Hey strangekat, you do sound very responsible. everything you said I did too and I am, too, planning to do it all myself. I tried it with my dad too but he said no. I am still saving money to buy EVERYTHING myself. I even made a little booklet about guinea pigs, you know, in case something goes wrong. I still want two piggies, badly.

 

[StrangeKat]

Meh, I didn't ask, I got too nervous. Im so lame. But I will ask, im gonna wait until he's in a good mood. Right now his g/f is mad at me 'cos my cat threw up on the kitchen table, so that could set things back a bit.

 

[LuvMyPiggers]

Yes, I have plans for the pigs when I move out, they will be either A) Coming to college with me (I have talked with the disabilities office at the college I may be attending, I have permission to keep them as therapy animals) or B) Moving into my boyfriends with me, whichever comes first. My Dad is hesitant bacause hes' not a huge fan of animals, and his girlfriend's daughter has her own collection stored on our porch. I asked him about 3 weeks ago, so when he comes home and settles back in im going to try again.

Ooooh! I didn't know you could get permission with therapy. I can try that because I have biploar and they are technically my therapy animals... I gotta call my college so I can finally move out of my parent's house and into a dorm!

 

[StrangeKat]

Yea, see if your therapist won't write a letter, it helps bunches.

 

[dropping_head]

I really want a cavy. Badly. - I get good grades (A's & B's), keep my room clean, do my chores (and sometimes extra), rarely get in trouble, and take good care of my cat.

Cat?

Hope you don't want to keep your cat and your pigs in the same house.
I got my first guinea pig from a girl who originally had two. Her pet
bulldog got the other one. She kept a bulldog in the same house with a
guinea pig? BAD idea.

 

[Moxie]

I own a cat and it lives in the same house as my gps. You just have to make the cage cat proof (with a lid).