[Colonel Cupcake]

(Ehhh, is this in the right forum? )
Okay, um, hi everyone. I'm a total n00b (lol) to anime conventions so I don't know what it's like to go to one. I'm kind of new to cosplaying, too. [I've only dressed up as BB (from Death Note: Another Note) for Halloween...] Also, I'm 13, but I'll be 14 by the time of the convention.
But, anyways, on to my question.
I want to go to ACEN '10 so badly, but my mother said I can't go because she doesn't want me to waste money on those kinds of things. I said I could save up for it myself, but she still refuses to let me go. My parents are a bit overprotective of me so that would surely play a big part in me not going.
Also, my mom always wants me to do something other then being on the the computer, and I thought the con could be the 'something' I could do!
Please help!
I really want to go!
If anyone can think of a way to help persuade my mom into letting me go, you will be loved forever. lol

Please and thank you~
c:

This post has been edited by Colonel Cupcake: 08 June 2009 - 12:03 AM

[-JUNK-]

well, i have talked a few parents into letting my friends go this year. but with you going so young id say bring somebody older to watch you so you don't get lost and what not since you would be in a big city/suburb. if you could get them to understand you "hardest thing to do with them i swear" get them to under stand anime isnt just some looney toons you see on tv and all that stuff. but i kinda dont know what to say. when i frist went it took me 2 years to get my people to let me go now i go every year and this year will be my 3rd but its fine. i mom doesnt like it but what can i say she isnt in the position to tell me other wise ;D and ill still go no matter what since i love everyone on here ...well most of everyone and i love to meet new friends there.

but just as long as you arent them OMG Squeeeeeee~! girls im sure i wont have a issue them girls give me such a head ache

but think of it as a educational factor of Japanese culture of art, and such maybe something like that would persway them to let you go for a day at least.

[Bloo09]

ACen does have some educational panels, it is an EXTREMELY social event where it's nearly impossible to not make friends You could try talking her into letting you go for at least one day as it is a cheaper ticket or show her how cheap our badges are in September during our early bird price. They were 35 for a 3 day ticket last year but we have not announced what they will be this year yet. You can search youtube videos of ACen and show her bits of the convention. You can show her the forum and show how friendly nearly complete strangers are to each other

[okaonos]

Considering your age, I'd definitely bring an older friend or family member. It's no fun to go to cons alone anyway.

ACen is relatively cheap for the experience you're getting, so it's not a waste. There are many panels, dances and events that you can participate in, without paying extra. Also, the earlier you register, the cheaper it will be.

And like Bloo said, go online and educate your mom about ACen. She'll be more likely to let you go if she knows what it is.

This post has been edited by okaonos: 08 June 2009 - 09:18 AM

[Hikari189]

Speaking from experience since I was 14 when I first went to ACen. Try and get someone to go with you. Even if they're the same age it's still someone else that's there with you. It helped that my older brother had gone to cons before but maybe you could find someone on the forums who at least seems responsible (I think that I'm able to represent myself pretty well to people I don't know XD) that would be able to talk to her and explain that the con isn't just anime and also explain the benefits of the panels and such that are related to anime. It's kind of lame to just go for one day and have to miss some things that are later in the day but it'll be much easier to talk to her to just be like "I want to go just to try out something new" that way there isn't the hassle of convincing her to let you stat overnight and she doesn't have the worry of what might happen if you were to stay overnight. and as far a money and stuff goes, there;s still christmas (and maybe a birthday) between now and ACen. I would start talking to relatives now about the cost and everything and see what you can work out of them for the con. In the end you really just need to keep talking up the convention and all of the benefits of it and everything else, maybe you could even find a really small one and somehow convince her to go with you just so she can get a feel for it.

[Relik]

Bloo09, on Jun 8 2009, 11:44 AM, said:

ACen does have some educational panels, it is an EXTREMELY social event where it's nearly impossible to not make friends You could try talking her into letting you go for at least one day as it is a cheaper ticket or show her how cheap our badges are in September during our early bird price. They were 35 for a 3 day ticket last year but we have not announced what they will be this year yet. You can search youtube videos of ACen and show her bits of the convention. You can show her the forum and show how friendly nearly complete strangers are to each other

Just remember, I'm sure there are videos of ACen that nobody wants to see. Ever.

[sammy-45]

Like the t-shirts says :
Anime my Anti-drug.

As a mom myself I would be much happier knowing my kid was into anime then a lot of other things that are out there. Like Drugs. (but don't says drugs cause it won't help, or maybe it might) Or Gangs, or smoking.

And let her know that this is not just some small thing, there are millions of people around the world who like anime, and there is an anime con just about every weekend in the US. (check out animecons.com) This is not a small fade that will go away like some clothing things. This is something that might one day help you get a job (like if because of anime you learn to speak Japaneses). And then you could be making lots of money in the future, but you won't because you did not go to any anime cons, and learn about the culture of Japan, and so now will end up broke and destitute.


How do you think that will work?

[Smokey]

Here's an idea. Maybe we could set up an address that parents could write to get the facts about the convention, anime and the whole cultural thing. Maybe call it parentinfo@acen.etc or something along those lines.

I can't see anyone more qualified to address those concerns than those of us who are parents themselves. In the case of the OP, Mom and Dad could be informed by other Moms and Dads that while yes, it is in a big city with huge crowds where someone as young as 14 should be accompanied by someone older, it's not the mere money trap that they suspect. They could find out about all the other things that the convention is about besides the dealer's room, like the live programming, guests, panels, gaming, video programming and the zillions of other things they can do without spending money, as well as learning about foreign cultures, their history and language. Get them to see that it's more of a learning thing than a spending thing.

They might even be convinced enough to come along and make a family weekend trip out of it.

[animedorkguy]

Do your parents go to sporting events or the theater? If they do ask if they could let you and a friend spend the day at the con while they go to a game or a show in Chicago. The CTA has a station right by the con with easy access to downtown, Wrigley, and the field formerly known as Comisky.

Let them know about the cons IRT staff. Those guys know what they are doing. I don't think you can walk more than 10 feet without seeing one of them.

Is there anyone from your town that goes to the con? You have a general area listed, but maybe through the forums you could find a few new friends in the 16-20 range that you could go with.

[shinigamiJACULA]

aah, this was the exact same case for one of my friends this year too. her parents are SUPER overprotective too but we got to persuade her parents into going ^_^

just tell your parents that ACen is a family-friendly convention so it's completely safe, and it's basically a place where people with the same hobbies/interests can get together or meet new people. :D more than half the people who go don't even cosplay, so if you want to save some $$$ just go as yourself and it'll be fine.

regarding money, just set a budget for yourself. know what you want to get or have some kind of idea so you don't overspend. this year i spent probably around $60 cuz i knew what i was looking for and didn't try buying every single thing i saw.

you can get an early bird rate (it's the price of a one-day ticket but you get to go all three days if you want! i think the deadline is in september?) and go for just one day to try it out...(that's what i do every year since i only go on saturday) plus that means skipping lines and not having to buy a ticket at the door!

just make sure to go with some friends! it'll be a lot more fun! try making an intro post in the intro forums.

ps, ACen isn't all about spending money--you can attend panels on pretty much anything and everything and go to concerts for free or just hang out with friends and have a good time!

good luck! if you have any questions, feel free to ask me (i promise i won't bite)! i know the situation that your in and i hope this was a bit helpful! ^_^

[Relik]

Yeah you don't have to spend any money lol. Unless you want to stay there, or buy stuff.

But this year I didn't buy anything (nothing really caught my eye), and all I did was pay for hotel which I shared with a friend.