Telling Your Parents *For Younger Members*

I never brought up BJDs around my parents, but when I started to bring home tiny sweaters and pants from a convention and came home to me sewing tiny pairs of socks and underwear, they knew I was serious.

My dad wasn't very approving at first. Because 'boys don't play with dolls, hurrdurr.' But when I brought up his own expensive fishing hobby as a rebuttal, he relent and said that it was my money and could do whatever I wanted with it. Hey, at least I'm not spending it on drugs or alcohol, right?

My mom saw me day after day researching about BJDs on the computer. Sometimes she would throw in her opinion on a doll that I'm looking at, but agreed that I could do what I wanted with my money. She ended up loving Autumn when he arrived and even bought him baby clothes weeks after. xD;

My dad also made me promise that Autumn would be my one and only doll, but I was perfectly fine with just having one. ^^

 

...thank god im a grown up with a job. I wasnt even aware of BJDs when i was on allowance, and when i did find out i was a fully able adult with a job.....i can go out and buy dolls and clothes at will! Sux to be a moocher. Although i do feel your pain, being an adult brings its downsides too...BILLS! The constant bjd blocker. Be happy your still leeching off someone who feels obligated to pay for your passing fancies. =S

 

Well, uh, I had actually accrued over three-hundred dollars in savings myself, and was planning on using the money to attend Rites of Passage (this really cool nine-day camping experience out in the wild), but due to my lack of proper medication, was unable to. But I was floored when, shortly ensuing my disappointment, my friend introduced me to the hobby. When I finally saw my dream-doll, I was completely in love. She was amazing, and I was so happy! My parents, however, were not. My family had been experiencing a lot of turmoil during the time I got the lowdown on BJD-dom, and my parents were far from pleased when they heard I had plans of using my trip funding for dolls instead of applying it to my college fund, as they had hoped I would, and were even more ticked when they discovered that my money wouldn't cover the cost of shipping internationally. But with my birthday approaching (and still not being properly medicated), they bit the bullet and covered it. Their general attitude was "What doll costs over one-hundred dollars??", and has only changed slightly post-arrival of my doll.

RacoonDevil, just wondering, being an adult and all, what compelled you to click on this thread?

 

Dad was pretty much "Ok" about it.

I saved up for a few months, and since I'd saved up for most of the doll, dad payed for the rest of it. He even told me to buy some shoes for the doll if I needed them, knowing this would cost more money that he'd have to pay.

I do know that some kids have parents who think dolls are not something an older child should have, and to them, I say: Treat them like decorative objects! Find a smaller, cheaper doll to start with if you're parents are really stubborn, order it yourself and show them how it's helping you learn to take photographs.

 

Well, when I bought my first I wasn't a teenager, but I was still living at home and attending college. I had my own job, so I didn't have to ask to borrow any money. My stepdad hated the idea, and my mum didn't like that I was spending so much money on a doll XD But I didn't give a damn. It was my money, and I wanted that doll.

They got over it. They still don't like him XD Very few people do! But he's mine, and I worked hard to buy him, and I love him. And that's what matters, really : )

 

I brought it up slowly first I did the, "wow-look-at-these-dolls-I-found" conversation, then the, "people-do-so-many-creative-things-with-them!", and finally I ended with, "yaknow-I-kind-of-want-one". XD hahaha I definately recomend telling your parents what you can do with them. I always ask my mom why she doesn't freak over the price and she says it's becasue she thinks of my dolls as a way for me to use my artistic ability-the same as taking classes or something.

 

I think the most important thing to parents is to see that 1) this is something you truly love, and 2) you are going to be responsible about it. I had an interest in BJDs for about 6 years before I actually brought up wanting one (since I KNEW I could not afford one at the time, as a 6th grader). I did a lot of research to make sure this was what I wanted, and about 2 years ago I began to collect cheaper collector's dolls like Pullip and her family. Over time, my parents saw how much I really loved and cared for them and how responsible I was and all the things I could do with them, like customization and sewing. Then, at the beginning of this year, I started to mention BJD....and eventually in March when I had the money, I finally asked and my parents were very supportive!

 

Honestly speaking... my folks don't know the real price of my babies... -smacked-
They'd flip if they knew the truth! Hehe...
I'm only fifteen, so I guess it'll be expected even though it's my own money I've decided to save up.

 

My parents doesn't like the idea of me getting a doll (especially my dad) I have my own job already so I can pay for my doll. but I still live with my parents. so what I did is I bought a doll somewhere in singapore.. Then finally my mom liked it. I am now allowed to order dolls online (since my credit is just an extension from my mom's)

 

For me it wasen't easy to convince my mother ,but after insisting for about a year she gave up

 

My mom actually liked BJDs before I did; we saw them at a convention & she thought they were gorgeous. I wasn't a fan of the sculpts we saw, so I didn't think to look into them. When I did get into them, I was 16 and had a part time job. My parents have always been of the belief that my money is mine to spend as I please, so they were very supportive as I saved up for my first. My mom used her CC to buy him and I just paid her back, no problem. They ended up actually buying me a couple of my later dolls as gifts

I know not everyone's parents are as supportive as mine were, but I generally think being straightforward & honest is the best approach. If you're really worried, try to save up all the money you need before broaching the topic. Unless you live elsewhere, I generally don't recommend hiding things. I've watched too many people hide crap from their parents and when it all comes to light (and it usually does) their parents are angry about the initial purchase, but even angrier about the deception.

 

I find it helps if you bombard their senses.

Visual: might help if they see pictures of the doll. Have it as a wallpaper on both your computer and phone. Change your picture every now and then. If it's your mum, have a hunk. If it's your dad (depending on his taste) have something sultry or something cute (No...I really mean it).

Hearing: say stuff like, "Wow! That spot is perfect for a shoot!" or "Man I wish I had someone sitting right here so I can take a photo, the mood is great!"

Physical: Start looking out for doll-sized stuff and have your parents be on the lookout for them too.

It really does help when they realize you're serious and it's not a phase.

My parents were worried that I was throwing my money away on something that will only hold my attention for a while. But I'll be out with them and I'll scream "My god that's just perfect!....if only it was 1/3 my size." After a year later, I'm still at it so they now know that it's not a phase.

Oh, it does help when you tell them that these things can sell.

 

Well, I'm starting university soon and I wouldn't consider myself a teenager but until I move out for uni I am living under my parent's roof. I remember asking her randomly one day 'What do you think of this? Isn't he cute?' (I was showing her a picture of several BJDs) her first response, "That's creepy" I then stated how mine wouldn't look 'creepy' and such but she didn't seem to budge initially.

However, she said it was my money and I could do what I want with it and although, she acts like she thinks BJDa are creepy, I recently brought my first BJD and when it came to picking out outfits, she was first to chip in her thoughts and feelings about what top would go with which bottoms and such. Deep down, I know she will love my BJD when he comes. She just doesn't want to say it outloud. :P

 

I was fourteen when I got into the hobby and fifteen when I got doll number four...Oh that was interesting...>w>;; My mom said: "But she NEEDS another guy! D8 Riven's GAY!" To my dad when he asked me why I needed another one. Indeed my boy Riven is gay...My boy Kaname is not...>w>;; My first doll had her boyfriend though.