My parents are dissapproving.

[DoctorWhovian1902 596]

So today I received a talk from my parents. The discussion was mainly about how I need to be more social, it's reasonable.

 

Then there was the underlying theme of it all, they would constantly reference bronies and the show as "odd", "eccentric", and "peculiar", and that I was just that for being a part of it. They also said I needed to stop liking so many Facebook posts that are MLP related because they're worried about others not being accepting (oh, the irony).

 

So they completely dissapprove of the fandom and show as a whole, and therefore they dissapprove of me being a brony.

 

So what are your thoughts on it? Also, has anyone else had similar experiences with people being unaccepting? If so, do tell.

 

(Also, sorry for anyone who read this while it was incomplete, the mobile version of MLP Forums glitched on me).

Edited November 27, 2012 by whoovesfan7698

[Fridge 382]

I would ask them whats so great about being 'normal' and then ask them to define it when it comes to people because in truth "there ain't nobody normal". The best friends you'll have will be the ones that are slightly... unbalanced, at least thats what I've found.

 

Its a fair point I suppose saying be more social etc, nowt wrong with that, its sound advice even. But being social and giving up what you love needn't be mutually exclusive.

 

Also I think you need to finish your post you seem to have lost a bit at the end there.

 

edit: I spotted you reposted it and it disappeared so here is the last bit of my reply;

 

This kind of reflects a conversation I had with my parents regarding my 'political affiliations'. What I would say (and did say) was;

 

"I understand that your worried and I appreciate the concern but I don't think you truly understand what I'm into. I'm happy to have a conversation about this but you have to promise to keep an open mind. The instant there's a raised voice this conversation is over and I will carry on regardless."

 

Then have the conversation in a calm manner, it shows your maturity and will likely put to rest any fears they have because they'll see that you can have a conversation and take criticism.

Edited November 27, 2012 by Fridge

[Descant 1,897]

I'm pretty sure I've seen threads like this before. And I can't say I'm surprised by your parents' outlook, either. Unless you've shown them otherwise, their opinion of MLP is entirely based upon how it was in G3 and before, if not the odd, outdated commercial.

 

 

http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCklylTFoJY

 

 

Perhaps explain why the phenomenon is so appealing. Or just show them this article from the USA Today. (Be careful not to click the video if you don't want a spoiler.)

Edited November 27, 2012 by Descant

[angels_gal 204]

Firstly, It's great to be different. and you're definitely not lame or stupid for watching and supporting this fantastic show. and uhhh who cares if you're not social? I know they're worried about you They're you're parents and you definitely respect them. But i'd say let everything they tell you about being social and the show go in one ear and out the other with the ocassional "yes mom" to show you're listening. sorry for being so blunt

[Fridge 382]

Got to say I find it funny that some many parents are concerned their children are watching MLP and yet aren't concerned about the fact that those same children are likely playing COD etc.

In one brightly coloured equines try to teach you positive life lessons and its generally funny, in the other you're running around killing with no abandon and quite possibly getting abuse from annoyed 14 year olds. Which one, I ask, should they be more concern about?

Edited November 27, 2012 by Fridge

[Colt 555]

Ok here are my thoughts on this

• Your parents are telling you this because 2 things, first they love you, second they are worried about you. Yes is true and very sad that they believe this could “harm you” by leaving a mark on your “social image“ and reputation. Try to understand them but be carefull understand is not justify or let them change how you are. Here as in many Brony RL situations you have to be the bigger one.

• Try to show that your passion for MLP and being social do not counter each other but truth is that staying in a room 23 hrs a day is not the best for anypony. I know cause some years ago I was like that and things werent going as good as now. (personal opinnion)

• Be yourself and fight for it but be respectfull and as we say here "You will catch more bees with a smile than being vile "... Well its kind of hard to translate it hope you get the idea.

[Fridge 382]

Be yourself and fight for it but be respectfull and as we say here "You will catch more bees with a smile than being vile "... Well its kind of hard to translate it hope you get the idea.

I think the saying is you catch more bee's with honey than with vinegar Well thats the way I've always heard it. Sound advice either way

[Colt 555]

I think the saying is you catch more bee's with honey than with vinegar Well thats the way I've always heard it. Sound advice either way

 

Yeah that it but doesnt ryme in english and there I was breaking my head to find the right ryme XD

 

BTW the spanish is "Mas abejas se cazan con miel que con hiel"

[Fox 5,330]

Well, obviously you're parents are worried about your status an how you present yourself to people. People presenting themselves in a "nerdy/silly" fandom are bound to get picked on. They may be worried for you being picked on because you might be an appeal able target for bullies. Possibly. You could be hurting yourself if you make yourself known to be a brony and make you look stupid to others. You can't really expect your parents to have a great understanding what the fandom is all about. You need to enlighten them about it. When faced with this, is easily considered odd for "normal" people.

 

Hey, if I had parents that wanted to help or can agree on certain terms and not develop their own bias for things... I'd listen and comfortably talk.

[Fridge 382]

Yeah that it but doesnt ryme in english and there I was breaking my head to find the right ryme XD BTW the spanish is "Mas abejas se cazan con miel que con hiel"

Ah that explains it! Not to worry I can't speak a lick of Spanish so your doing better than me!

And thank you, although forgive me if I don't attempt to say it, getting pronunciation from the written word is very hard.

[Victor van Dort 202]

Ask them what's so peculiar about it, bring up a different topic with the same situation (I like to use the "if I was gay" type of deal), and ask them to accept who you are if they realize what you're saying. About the social thing, well, it's not that great to be social when some of the people out in the world are total douches, however, you could be more social if you like, Celestia knows I wouldn't want to.

Edited November 27, 2012 by Thatoneguy42

[Circadian 1,273]

 

When you're rife with devastation

There's a simple explanation:

You're a toymaker's creation

Trapped inside a crystal ball

 

And whichever way he tilts it

Know that we must be resilient

We won't let them break our spirits

As we sing this silly song

 

When I was a little filly, a galloping blaze overtook my city

So they shipped me off to the orphanage. Said, "ditch those roots if you wanna fit in"

So I dug one thousand holes and cut a rug with orphan foals

Memories are blurred, and their faces are obscured, but I still, know the words to this song

 

When you've bungled all your bangles

And your loved ones have been mangled

Listen to the jingle jangle

Of my gypsy tambourine

 

'Cause these chords are hypnotizing

And the whole world's harmonizing

So please children stop your crying

And just sing along with me

[CloudFyre 848]

So today I received a talk from my parents. The discussion was mainly about how I need to be more social, it's reasonable.

 

Then there was the underlying theme of it all, they would constantly reference bronies and the show as "odd", "eccentric", and "peculiar", and that I was just that for being a part of it. They also said I needed to j

 

My parents have been acting the same way about my socializing abilities.

 

And it is true - I spend hours upon hours staring and LCD screens all day long. However, there are some good reasons for my rather extended periods of time in front of electronics. I'm studying for a computer science degree, so over half of my college classes work exclusively with digital files/projects. It naturally follows that I do social networking via computers, and then MLP related stuff, etc.

 

All I can say is this: respect your parents. The number one thing that would somehow "prove" (and I use the word prove loosely) that Bronies are a bad bunch is if a good majority of us suddenly became defensive/offensive about the show. If you simply stay calm, composed, and confident, I would hope that your parent's would slowly begin to see some redeeming value in the show.

[DoctorWhovian1902 596]

 

 

My parents have been acting the same way about my socializing abilities.

 

And it is true - I spend hours upon hours staring and LCD screens all day long. However, there are some good reasons for my rather extended periods of time in front of electronics. I'm studying for a computer science degree, so over half of my college classes work exclusively with digital files/projects. It naturally follows that I do social networking via computers, and then MLP related stuff, etc.

 

All I can say is this: respect your parents. The number one thing that would somehow "prove" (and I use the word prove loosely) that Bronies are a bad bunch is if a good majority of us suddenly became defensive/offensive about the show. If you simply stay calm, composed, and confident, I would hope that your parent's would slowly begin to see some redeeming value in the show.

 

Read the fixed post, it explains the issue better. Anyways, thanks for the advice, but they will never see any redeeming value in the show because they only listen to reliable (I'm also using that word loosely) sources, like the news.

 

Because we all know how reliable that is.

 

Anyways, the main problem that stems from this is that if I were to write up my two FiMfics, I'd have to do it in complete secret because they hate the fandom so much. And considering they spend so much time around me and "checking on" me as they'll put it, that's nearly impossible.

[Fridge 382]

Read the fixed post, it explains the issue better. Anyways, thanks for the advice, but they will never see any redeeming value in the show because they only listen to reliable (I'm also using that word loosely) sources, like the news. Because we all know how reliable that is. Anyways, the main problem that stems from this is that if I were to write up my two FiMfics, I'd have to do it in complete secret because they hate the fandom so much. And considering they spend so much time around me and "checking on" me as they'll put it, that's nearly impossible.

Well if they put so much stock in what the news says you could show them the USA today article about the fandom as well as one that the Guardian did recently.

 

Again I would just be respectful and explain it, if they don't and won't accept it then the answer is this 'Its my life, not yours'. Try to say it in a less... aggressive manner than I've put there though. I'll warn you though that line in any form will cause a rift to form but if they react this way to something as innocent as MLP then how would they react if you told them you were gay etc?

Essentially what I mean is, the way they're currently acting toward MLP will resurface again for something else and then it might be something with a lot more personal impact.

[CloudFyre 848]

Read the fixed post, it explains the issue better. Anyways, thanks for the advice, but they will never see any redeeming value in the show because they only listen to reliable (I'm also using that word loosely) sources, like the news.

 

Because we all know how reliable that is.

 

Anyways, the main problem that stems from this is that if I were to write up my two FiMfics, I'd have to do it in complete secret because they hate the fandom so much. And considering they spend so much time around me and "checking on" me as they'll put it, that's nearly impossible.

 

Yeeaaaah...reliable.

 

Although I'm not usually one to try and go "behind people's backs" so to speak, I'm sure we could figure out some way for you to write fics in peace...

[SunnyCrackle 11]

Ultimately it's all up to you bro. It is after all who you want to be. Every parent expects certain things from their children. And from my end my father doesn't agree with my major and my bro's lifestyle at all. The way you define yourself is by taking bits of how others define you.

If you draw something you and you don't like it and enough people say you're an artist, are you?

There's some point between "I like blue cause you like blue" and "I like chartreuse because you like blue" where you gotta stop entirely relying on the way the WORLD views you to determine who you are.

Draw the line somewhere, because at the end of the day? You're the only one who has to live with yourself all day every day without exception. So you better be happy with that person.

[angels_gal 204]

If they will never see the redeeming value than it is their loss. the only thing they are managing to accomplish is to push you away instead of helping you. and yeah right 'reliable' how exactly is news reliable 100% of the time? the only really big thing that they've managed to accomplish is to turn you into a closet brony. and good grief i don't want to see anymore closet bronies.

[DoctorWhovian1902 596]

 

 

Yeeaaaah...reliable.

 

Although I'm not usually one to try and go "behind people's backs" so to speak, I'm sure we could figure out some way for you to write fics in peace...

 

*chuckles evilly* I like the way you think.

 

Seriously, though, I agree, there has to be a way. Heck, I haven't watched the show for a few months now. Also, let me clarify, they are REALLY prying as well, at dinner recently, they were (I assume trying to embarrass me in the process) asking me about my involvement in the fandom, such as "are you involved in creating any of the fanart or fanfiction?" Aside form 2 rage comics and a pony generator pony, I'm not involved in the former, and aside from writing quotes for the story, the latter is the same, so of course I told them no.

 

But seriously, they were doing "research" at a restraunt right in front of me, during dinner. It was, I'll admit, very uncomfortable to have my parents looking up things about the fandom (and meme photos), obtaining whatever false judgments they would from it, and I couldn't stop them, otherwise there must be a reason I'm uncomfortable, like that I'm ashamed of being a brony, which I'm not, I just don't like them forming opinions about something they haven't even asked me about, and assuming that I'm wrong and whatever they read is gospel.

 

This would only make it worse if they saw me writing fanfiction. And yet, I still want to.

 

*sighs* Okay, rant over.

 

If they will never see the redeeming value than it is their loss. the only thing they are managing to accomplish is to push you away instead of helping you. and yeah right 'reliable' how exactly is news reliable 100% of the time? the only really big thing that they've managed to accomplish is to turn you into a closet brony. and good grief i don't want to see anymore closet bronies.

 

Don't worry about that, I'm not a closet brony anymore, I'm just a bit surprised and offended at my parents' reactions. Maybe they'll understand one day, maybe not. I don't know.

Edited November 27, 2012 by whoovesfan7698

[CloudFyre 848]

*chuckles evilly* I like the way you think.

 

Seriously, though, I agree, there has to be a way. Heck, I haven't watched the show for a few months now. Also, let me clarify, they are REALLY prying as well, at dinner recently, they were (I assume trying to embarrass me in the process) asking me about my involvement in the fandom, such as "are you involved in creating any of the fanart or fanfiction?" Aside form 2 rage comics and a pony generator pony, I'm not involved in the former, and aside from writing quotes for the story, the latter is the same, so of course I told them no.

 

Alright, I think I have an idea, but I'll need to check a few things first.

 

First off, how well versed are your parents with the web in general? Are they the kind of people who know about how the internet works, about browsers, email addresses, memes, image hosting websites, etc.? Or are they the kind of people who skim all of their knowledge of the web from CNN, NBC, CBS, FOX, and any other news station with a three letter acronym?

 

And how hard do they "pry"? I'm sure most of us here can thwart face-to-face conversations by using vague/passive language, but are they searching browser history? Checking downloads? Keyloggers? How much do they do? (List it only if you wish to. If not, you could PM me.)

 

I think I have a way to circumvent the constant watch, but there are still too many unknown variables.

 

*Edit: obviously you can make it to the MLP Forums well enough, so you must be doing something right...

 

*Edit 2: I really should make a guide called "How to be a successfully hidden closet Brony"...

Edited November 27, 2012 by CloudFyre

[DoctorWhovian1902 596]

 

 

Alright, I think I have an idea, but I'll need to check a few things first.

 

First off, how well versed are your parents with the web in general? Are they the kind of people who know about how the internet works, about browsers, email addresses, memes, image hosting websites, etc.? Or are they the kind of people who skim all of their knowledge of the web from CNN, NBC, CBS, FOX, and any other news station with a three letter acronym?

 

And how hard do they "pry"? I'm sure most of us here can thwart face-to-face conversations by using vague/passive language, but are they searching browser history? Checking downloads? Keyloggers? How much do they do? (List it only if you wish to. If not, you could PM me.)

 

I think I have a way to circumvent the constant watch, but there are still too many unknown variables.

 

*Edit: obviously you can make it to the MLP Forums well enough, so you must be doing something right...

 

*Edit 2: I really should make a guide called "How to be a successfully hidden closet Brony"...

 

But the thing is, I don't want to be a closet brony, I'm only doing this for my parents, or those who would otherwise tell them, and only for the FiMfic. They'd prefer I didn't tell others about my fandom, but they "tolerate" it (I say "tolerate" because, well, I think you know what I mean).

 

Anyways, to answer your questions, first, they're a bit of both in being well-versed, they do know about E-mails, Internet browsers, and photo websites, but they're only learning about memes from me. At the same time, though, they only get their information from the news. I'm just thankful that they haven't seen the FOX News take on it (or maybe they have, but I really hope not), and if I give sources they're bound to find some way to say they're wrong. My parents are stubborn like that.

 

Secondly, I don't think they check my browser history, downloads, or keylogs (I don't even know what that is). That said though, ironically, they pry most because I try to use passive/evasive language. They even pointed that exact thing to me yesterday during our "talk". They've also told me they've used my computer while I'm gone, so there's that too. The way I've kept ahead is keeping...certain documents on my zip drive, which has worked so far.

 

Honestly, though, what it comes down to, I'm often trying to make the most out of whenever they're out of the house, which, while it doesn't happen often or for long, I use it to my full advantage.

 

Thanks for the help, man. I really do appreciate it.

[CloudFyre 848]

But the thing is, I don't want to be a closet brony, I'm only doing this for my parents, or those who would otherwise tell them, and only for the FiMfic.

I get what you're saying.

 

Secondly, I don't think they check my browser history, downloads, or keylogs (I don't even know what that is). The way I've kept ahead is keeping...certain documents on my zip drive, which has worked so far.

 

Keyloggers are programs that track and record every single button that's typed into a computer. They're rare to see, and nobody ever uses them to my knowledge. They just sort of "exist" if anyone is really that desperate.

 

And .zip files will only help for a short while. Once they find one, it's not hard to peek inside. (But there's not much you can do about that.)

 

One last question before I spring the idea on you: do you use Gmail?

[Dusty Soul 2,611]

It's not up to your parents to tell you what you can like and what you can't like, it's your life, live it the way you want to. Though they are probably basing it off the original show, as my parents do. The best thing to do is to talk to them, and say what it is in more detail.

[Glacier Chasm 15]

I haven't had this problem at all, and I really sympathize with you. I don't have much advice that you'll find amazingly helpful, but I hope that CloudFyre does. My two ideas is to make a document on Google Docs and write your story on there. That way you don't have to worry about them finding it on your computer at all. You just need to make sure you log out of your email.

 

The second idea that I have is that you find a friend nearby who is a brony as well. Outside your home, don't be a closet brony. See if you can't find somebody who's perfectly normal and is a brony. If your parents can see an outside source, it might help, and you'll have a non-electronic source to brony out with. That will probably alleviate some of your parents fears about your lack of social connections.

 

I hope these ideas help somewhat, and let me know when you get your first chapter up I'd like to see it.

[Zhooves 843]

I was lucky enough to have parents who went all "Oh, that's kinda weird... But it's harmless, I gue- HOLY COW YOU DREW THAT!?". They were more surprised and amazed at what little skill in drawing I had acquired, rather than the fact that I were into this show and fandom...

 

I'd say you have the right to choose what you like as you please. Respect your parents - as long as it doesn't restrain you in life for some short-sighted reason, like your situation now. But even then don't go all rebel... (Like I've done a couple of times - breaking my silent nature completely).

Try showing them the why this is all just harmless, and rather positive~