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Outsmart Authority By: Kade Roybal on 10/21/2001; 5:48 PM It's Saturday night and all youre asking is to go to a party with some friends. You assure your parents that there is nothing to worry about, but they still wont relent. I mean really, its like youre the only kid in your grade who isnt allowed to do whatever he wants. Frustrating? Weve all had the feeling. People always say you can catch more flies with honey but when those flies are annoying you, you just have an urge to squash them. Well, resist the temptation because being on your parents good side is a great place to be. First of all, plan ahead. If you know there is a party on the weekend, make sure to really put on the charm during the week. As much as you hate to, work ahead in school and make sure your parents notice. If you make a good grade, dont forget to casually mention that. For instance, at the dinner table bring up something you thought was interesting on your science test that day. Usually, parents respond to these comments by asking you what you scored. This gives you a perfect opportunity to flaunt your grade. If you make a bad one, avoid that topic of conversation by asking them about their day at work. Listen to every detail and keep them talking. This way, there is no time for them to concentrate on you. Always remember to help out around the house during the week. Hang up your towels, set the table or even take those dirty clothes to the laundry room. These things seem trivial, but to parents (especially moms) they are a big deal. Somehow, these household chores show responsibility. To us, it may seem like it doesnt matter, but youre not trying to convince a teenager to let you go out on Saturday. You are trying to convince a parent. Think like a parent and you can get what you want. Thirdly, look at your approach. How did you first ask your parents to go to the party? When you know there is a good chance that they will say no, be sure to plan ahead. Look at the advantages of going to the party and be ready to stress them in your plea. Will you, being out of the way, give your parents time to go for dinner, just the two of them? That could definitely be appealing to them. Parents tend to lean toward plans that are more convenient. If you cant drive, think of places that are near the party where you parents would need to go. Is Aunt Marges house nearby? If so, be sure to mention that it is about time for them to pay her a visit. Making them realize that this party could work to their advantage will greatly increase your chances of attending. If youve mentioned all the strong points, and the answer is still no, be sure not to get frustrated. As much as we teenagers hate to admit it, patience is a strong aspect of getting what you want. Stay calm. The urge to yell and scream will come, but if you give in to that urge, your chances will drop drastically. A study has shown that kids that have given in and yelled at their parents have only a 40% chance of getting what they want, while those who stay calm have an average of a 70% chance. Parents hate losing an argument more than anything. Even if you outsmart them, do not let them know. They will only get mad. Parents love to think that they know everything about everything. Always make them think they are right. In order to keep from bursting out carry out a mantra. In case you are unfamiliar with this term, it means to repeat in your mind, "I'm really right, I just dont want to let them know," over and over. If you dont lose your temper, they won't lose theirs. Plus, there's always next weekend! So, if you want weekends full of fun and friends, follow these steps. They guarantee you, if nothing else, a "no screaming match" weekend and possibly a few parties! You may be allowed to do things you never dreamed you could.
RE: Outsmart Authority By: ScottN on 5/18/2001; 1:58 AM Uh, Kade? As a parent, I hate to tell you this, but we're smarter than you think. Do you think we never did that stuff as kids? We'll see right through the B.S. But go ahead anyways, we like to see you do your chores!
RE: Outsmart Authority By: Dorothy Marie on 5/18/2001; 5:46 PM Yes, Kade. You must be very careful when you are B.S.ing your way around a punishment or into someone's favor. Most people do see right through it. You have to make it so real that you believe it yourself. You have to forget that you ever did anything wrong and completely go with the facade that your grades are perfect. But, all in all it is better to accept what is coming to you and get it over with. That is the simplest way. If you end up telling a lie, you have to alter all of your surroundings to the needs of that lie in order to make it the truth so no one will know you have lied. Just take it as it goes. It is so much simpler. As far as chores go, if you do something out of the ordinary and start being extremely "good" you give yourself away and tip them off that you've done something wrong. Then they will start to check everything twice over searching for your secret. It only makes them more watchful. But, any smart parent would wait it out until you've finished all of your chores, and then some.
RE: Outsmart Authority By: Evan on 5/19/2001; 5:25 PM I think most parents are not as obtuse as you think and will see through the big load of bull poopy that you spew out at them. My approach to this sort of thing is to simply go out as little as possible (not that I could go that much anyway, the nightlife in Plaquemine consists of Wal-Mart, City Cafe, the library, and the country club)and when I ask to go somewhere my parents are so happy that I'm going because they are apparently more worried about my social life than I am. Also it would seem to me that your parents would prohibit you from going places due to concern about your safety or as a punishment for some wrong committed. I can't come up with any other reasons why they would prohibit you so perhaps if you behave when you go out and be very careful, they will let you go.
RE: Outsmart Authority By: Daniel Morgan Hendricks on 12/6/2002; 6:23 PM You might try simply asking. I went through years of elaborate trickery to sneak out of the house throughout High School. (okay, it helped that I was a dork and would often play D&D at friend's houses (or host games) til 3-4am during the summer from 6th grade through High School. By the time I was a Junior, I was working at as a waiter during the summer (5pm - midnight shift) at a restaurant with a couple gaming buddies. It was generally assumed that I wouldn't be in til late all summer, and as such, rarely even had to explain where I was going. I took great delight in this until several years later, in college, when my mom mentioned casually that my little sister was having about 9 friends over for New Years and they were going to watch movies and have wine coolers. My mom had talked to all the kid's parents, assured the boys had rides home by 12:30, and that there were only 2 drinks per kid. Went without a hitch and I was kicking myself for having never just asked to throw a party. :)
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