241 replies to this topic

[tinypixie]

Hi guys After quite a few new members joined all at the same time, many asked the same question: How do I get my parents to agree to allow me to have a hamster?

 

The problem? These topics were posted in various boards around the forum! I thought it would be a good idea to pin a topic here, in the "Hamster Debate" board, so that people can use one thread for similar questions and advice. Also, new members could scroll through the thread to see what worked for people in the past.

 

This pinned topic is Dusty Approved. So go ahead and start posting here if you have questions about convincing, or if you want to offer advice on how to convince. New members who post elsewhere on the topic should be directed here, as well. Mods can move topics, posts, etc. so it all falls in the same place.

 

 

[Guinsisters]

That's a great idea! I'm looking for some tips on this so this will become very useful

[HammyMaster26]

How to convince your Parents for a Hamster

 

When convincing your parents for a hamster, remember to not whine. Whining shows how impatient and responsible you really are (not a lot). Just keep calm and give a good presentation. Remember, confidence and research is key. Make sure you can site a reliable source of information when doing research. If you need a good forum for hamsters, I suggest the Hamster Hideout Forum. It’s filled with hamster lovers. And great, interesting facts about hamsters! Now, if you are starting the presentation. If they reject the idea at first. Try throwing facts at them. Show them how much you really know about hamsters. Just remember if they do not give in quickly try talking it over with them and ask them why they don’t think it’s a good idea. Patience is very important at this point. I know you’re probably very upset that they said no but just keep calm and ask on. (See what I did there? :P) It’s also a good idea to have a budget put together just incase financial questions pop up. Here’s a basic one that shall come in handy:

-      Bedding: $7-15

-      Food: $10

-      Treats: Free! DIY (do it yourself) treats!

-      Cage: $15 (105 QT’s for bins, 20 Gal LONG for tanks, 2 lofts attached for Habitrails, Crittertrail isn't recommended at all)

-      Toys: Free! DIY (do it yourself) treats!

-      Etc. $10-15

Comes up to about $55! High five!

 

That’s just a basic idea of what your budget might be but prices vary. You should also have in mind the species you want. It’d be a good idea to do research on each species to see which one shall best suit you. I started off with a Russian dwarf. Which was my beloved Shelah <3 Russian dwarfs are calm from what I have experienced but disagree if you want. Just be sure to have it all together and having a speech wont hurt at all. It shows how much you prepared and how much you’re really committed to the hamster. 

 

This was a script for a video I made on my youtube channel (link in my signature) Feel free to edit or add to it!

[yolkalee]

Oh yay! I absolutely LOVE helping people out with hamsters!

 

-First off, reasearch is very important. It will benefit your understanding, the hamsters needs, and your parents desision. So its a win win win!

-powerpoint or prezi would be a great way to display what you have reasearched. (prezi would be more reccomended since it looks a bit nicer, but its your choice)

-Then, you need to show your parents that your responsible, and can handle your soon-to-be furry's needs. You can do this by helping make dinner, doing the dishes, cleaning your room, (and keeping it clean!) and if you have other pets, then do what needs to be done: walk the dog, feed the animals, clean the litterbox, clean the cages, wash the fish bowl, ect.ect.

-Another great way to show responsibility is making a hamster or pet binder where you store all the basic needs and such.

-Something that really shows parents that your comitted is to save up your money for your hamster. Even if you dont get much allowance or you dont get any at all, save up change, and then you can bring them to a bank or someplace that will exchange your money for bills (5s,10s,20,ect.) In some stores, there are even machines that will do this!

-A little something extra is to bring up facts about hamsters over dinner or breakfast, or even out shopping! Such as "Pine and cedar bedding can harm a hamsters respitory system, just something to know if you ever let me get one." With some parents it works, but with others i doesent.

-one thing I did was make a whole bunch of home-made hamster toys before I got one, so that my Dad would have to say yes, or else they would all go to waste

-My final, but definatly not lest important tip, is to ask to go to the pet store to see how much it would cost to care for a hamster, and while your doing that, tell your parents to come look at the hamsters and see how fuzzy and hypnotizingly adorable they are!

 

That is what I did to get a hamster, and would you look at the life he had! Sure it wasnt very full, but it was filled with healthy food, and toys, and love, and happiness. Hope this helped you!

[Mochammi]

I..

-Put together a folder with all the hamster care info/costs

-Helped out (SO HARD )

-Got into less/no arguments with sibs 

-Improved in school

 

That was how I 'buttered them up'. 

 

Then I

-Baked cookies and asked while they were eating (if you can't do this, ask while they are very happy) and presented the folder

-They said no, so right before bed (about a few days later), I asked them

-No.

-I finally realized 'They have a reason for saying no'.

-I asked 'Why?'

-Parents asked about money, diet, etc. (they didn't bother to read the folder XD)

-I answered all their questions and they said they'd think about it

-Next day they said yes

 

Hope this helped (this may not work for you, but this is how I achieved my hamster)

[tinypixie]

Great tips so far Thanks guys!

[DwarfCarrot]

HOW TO CONVINCE YOUR PARENTS TO LET YOU GET A HAMMY!

First off, you want to do LOTS of research first, and make sure you can really handle a hammy. Secondly, write you parents a letter, straight forward ask for a hammy. If they say no, wait 2-4 weeks, to let them think for a while about it, then do a more research, then write a list of ALL the things you need, how much everything costs and such. Then ask them again, with your sheet with all of the supplies, and if they still say no, you can prove to them you can handle it. Start taking responsibility for household duties, like washing dishes, doing laundry, etc. after you help around a while, you can also raise some money on your own by doing neighborly deeds, a lemonade stand, etc. Then, you should have proven to your parents you are responsible enough, and you have some money to help pay for it, then hopefully your parents will finally say yes. If they say no, try to kinda repeat this process, or maybe just wait until you get a bit older, then you could very well have your own hammy! I REALLY hope this helped, bye!  

[KatyHammie]

That's a great idea! hopefully all of us who don't have hamsters yet can get them now! thank you

 

-G.J

[tinypixie]

I'm glad

[jess32247]

Great idea for a thread! I'm glad members now have a place to post there questions/reasons in, it looks like the thread has been really taking off so far!

 

I'll post my side of convincing parents for a hamster, since I'm usually the one with a different kind of answer. lol

 

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I'm usually the odd one out saying parents have as much say in getting a hamster as you do. I'm guessing you're still young and living with you're parents, and as much as you probably don't want to hear it, they will end up helping you either financially or chore wise eventually. The start up cost of a hamster might not be to much (click) depending on how you see it, but he'll need supplies every week/month for the rest of his life, which is where you're parents come in. They are a big responsibility despite there size. I have no doubt you would be a great hamster parent, but do you have the full financial means of caring for one? It can be very hard to do if you don't have a continual money intake or job, like you're parents do. It might be best to wait until your older and/or with a job, that way you can give the little guy the best life you can without being dependant and possibly held back 

Edited by jess32247, 10 June 2013 - 06:06 AM.

[Guinsisters]

I made mum a leaflet and she refused to read it.
So, I put it by her bed and I know that she has seen it becuse it has moved. I don't know if she's actually read it though! But she hasnt said anything and neither have i. It's been a few weeks. Do you think i should mention it to her?

[Harveyandmilo]

First make sure that you yourself can handle the hamster. Figure this out by researching everything and figure out what type of hamster you want. From there it's up to you how you want to present this information to your parents. Examples:
-put together a presentation on paper or PowerPoint (showing everything you have learned about hamsters will make your parents think you are knowledgable and mature enough to handle a hamster)
-a folder or binder of information
-a video of information (find one or make one)

The more time you spend the more your parents will see how much you are willing to give for your new pet. Make sure to include:
-costs and how you will pay for them
-where your pet will be kept
-how you will keep it away from other household pets
-the benefits of having a hamster
-some fun facts that will interest them

Don't be obsessive when asking your parents but also make sure you are persistent. Make sure to gather their concerns and reasons for being against you getting a hamster. If you can address those concerns with your best answer and be well prepared to answer questions.
Hope this can help
First make sure that you yourself can handle the hamster. Figure this out by researching everything and figure out what type of hamster you want. From there it's up to you how you want to present this information to your parents. Examples:
-put together a presentation on paper or PowerPoint (showing everything you have learned about hamsters will make your parents think you are knowledgable and mature enough to handle a hamster)
-a folder or binder of information
-a video of information (find one or make one)

The more time you spend the more your parents will see how much you are willing to give for your new pet. Make sure to include:
-costs and how you will pay for them
-where your pet will be kept
-how you will keep it away from other household pets
-the benefits of having a hamster
-some fun facts that will interest them

Don't be obsessive when asking your parents but also make sure you are persistent. Make sure to gather their concerns and reasons for being against you getting a hamster. If you can, address those concerns with your best answer and be well prepared to answer questions.
Hope this can help

[Poofthecat]

Great idea for a thread! I'm glad members now have a place to post there questions/reasons in, it looks like the thread has been really taking off so far!
 
I'll post my side of convincing parents for a hamster, since I'm usually the one with a different kind of answer. lol
 
--------------------------------------
 
I'm usually the odd one out saying parents have as much say in getting a hamster as you do. I'm guessing you're still young and living with you're parents, and as much as you probably don't want to hear it, they will end up helping you either financially or chore wise eventually. The start up cost of a hamster might not be to much (click) depending on how you see it, but he'll need supplies every week/month for the rest of his life, which is where you're parents come in. They are a big responsibility despite there size. I have no doubt you would be a great hamster parent, but do you have the full financial means of caring for one? It can be very hard to do if you don't have a continual money intake or job, like you're parents do. It might be best to wait until your older and/or with a job, that way you can give the little guy the best life you can without being dependant and possibly held back 

That's why before hand, before you even mention you want a pet, ask your mom or dad (or both but moms seem easier to cope with) to get money jars! In my room tour you might see them. Ask for 20$ every 2 weeks and have three jars, saving (big things like in the future for cars, house, university) spending (spending on your hamster) and donation! Donating to a pet shelter is best to show your parents that you really do care about the well-being of animals. No matter what animal it goes to! The amounts of money I put in my jars every 2 weeks:

Spending
$16
Saving
$2
Donation
$2


It's only a little bit but its a good start! Trust me, if you save this money for a few months (while researching all you can about hamsters)
you can get a lot! Then make a poster of these facts (this worked the best for me)
-why you want one
-fun facts about hamsters
-a planned healthy diet for hammy
-all the products you are getting and their prices (with a total at the bottom)
-also mention that you will pay for all their care and clean the cage but sometimes you may need help.
-make sure that the poster is completely punchi! I found that eye candy will make people more likely to say yes to something because in their brains unconsciously they are saying, I like that poster so the idea must be great! (Psychology! I may be less than an adult but I can still study it!)

Now after a few months of having Stitch (5 exactly today!!) I made a different money jar setup,(add a pets jar)

Pets
$6
Saving
$2
Spending
$10
Donation
$2

Then you have enough money for both of you! You can add more money to pets though :P but the first time buying your hamster, you may want to use your spending, and pets, and maybe have around 150$ in total (in a month you get $32) so you can get what you need, and maybe some extra stuff! Sorry this is so long and boring but I hope it helps!

[jess32247]

That's why before hand, before you even mention you want a pet, ask your mom or dad (or both but moms seem easier to cope with) to get money jars! In my room tour you might see them. Ask for 20$ every 2 weeks and have three jars, saving (big things like in the future for cars, house, university) spending (spending on your hamster) and donation! Donating to a pet shelter is best to show your parents that you really do care about the well-being of animals. No matter what animal it goes to! 

 

Those are some amazing tips, Poof! So well written, too! I will definitely keep your tips in mind as most of my money usually just gets thrown into my (dust filled xD) safe without thinking about what to put it towards until the time comes. Unfortunately, I don't get allowances- never have, so it's a real bummer for people like myself that have to mostly depend on parents to get weekly/monthly supplies. I made a bit of money baby sitting a neighbors puppy for almost a year though, so for younger people like myself without a actual paying job, doing odd jobs around your neighborhood might be a decision to look into!

[Mr_SnickerDoodle]

This is awesome! I will be sure to go over this with my mom!