Parents won't let me get a gecko. Help!

[rockpaw]

Okay, I have been wanting a gecko for some time now. I discussed it with my parents, saying that I would pay for everything, and be completely responsible for it. They wouldn't even have to look at the gecko if they didn't want to. My parents still said they are against it. Do you guys have any advice on how I could possibly convince them to let me have one, or to change their minds? How did you guys convince your parents?

 

[katie_]

How old are you? Do you have a job?
To be completely honest unless you have a steady job, theyre right. You cant pay vet bills on an allowance.
Ive seen many posts from kids who got a gecko and have to let it suffer because their parents wont take it to the vet.
Geckos arent going anywhere, just wait a few years and you can move out and get 10.

 

[rockpaw]

How old are you? Do you have a job?

I am a teenager, and I don't have a real job, but I do babysit every month for a reasonable amount of money. I wasn't aware that gecko vet bills were that expensive that you would need a full time job.

 

[katie_]

Potentially.
Say you babysit every sat and make $50.
Is it likely that you spend that money? Probably. I would.
An average vet visit for a sick gecko ranges between $100-$200.
Many procedures can cost several hundred.
Thats a lot of hours saved up from babysitting.

I know it sounds annoying but unless your parents are onboard, you should respect their wishes. If you ran into problems, you would need their help. After begging them to the point where they cave because youve annoyed them so much about it, they probably wouldnt be very receptive to help you. Youre more likely to get what you want by dropping it and proving to them that youre responsible.
Just my two cents.

 

[katie_]

Id also like to add that when I was 16 I got a job at a local petstore. It was part time because I was in highschool, but I saved all my money.
Because of that I could buy my first house at 21. Im now 24 and just bought and even better house.
Now I can have all the geckos my little heart desires.
Sometimes it pays to wait to move out.

 

[rockpaw]

Sometimes it pays to wait to move out.

True, that's what my mother always tells me. But it is really hard to wait, especially if you have a few years left before moving out, like I do.

 

[katie_]

Yeah it is hard. I waited 11 years to get a dog. I get it, I really do.
I had my dog picked out before I had my bags packed.

 

[rockpaw]

Wow, you must have really wanted that dog! I wish I had your patience and determination!

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I am a teenager, and I don't have a real job, but I do babysit every month for a reasonable amount of money. I wasn't aware that gecko vet bills were that expensive that you would need a full time job.

Oh, trust me, they can be. My one gecko got sick, and I spent over $200 on vet bills in three vet visits, two of which were out of state.

I agree with Katie. I know how hard it is to resist. I'm fighting with myself to not get another gecko because I really need to start saving my money. In the long run, you'll be much better off if you save your money and then do what you want later.

~Maggot

 

[Ghostoftangerine17]

I really want a ball python but my boyfriend is TOTALLY against any/all snakes. Don't even think I'll be getting one down the line unless I find a new boyfriend lol (and that's very doubtful because we've been together 3 years and are now moving in together).

Just be happy that in the future you WILL be able to get a gecko

 

[rockpaw]

Just be happy that in the future you WILL be able to get a gecko

Yeah, I guess. I will definitely be getting a gecko later on, when I am older. I just really want one now​, but I guess I'm gonna have to wait.

 

[KTyne]

I agree with everyone else, just wait. I wanted so many pets when I still lived with my parents and I had to wait until I was 19, and an adult, to be able to just go out and get one. I also had a job.
You have your whole life to get any pet you want, you don't have to get it now.

 

[rockpaw]

You guys just want all the geckos for yourselves. Just kidding lol. Yeah, now that I think about it, it seems like a better choice to wait and get a gecko when I am older. I have more time to study up on geckos then.

 

[KTyne]

Yes, our plot is working! *cough*

That is a very mature decision. Do you do chores and help around the house? If you don't you could start and then maybe your parents will see how responsible you are and let you get a Gecko eventually.

 

[Gabrial]

I just want to throw in my two cents. It IS possible to pay for vet bills on allowance alone, as I've done it. I paid for a gecko who cost a couple hundred dollars in vet bills after it was all said and done( and unfortunately he ended up dieing as well).
I was making $50 a month, but I saved my money so I had a safety net, and it all ended up working out. Honestly, it just takes discipline in saving, and of course convincing your parents. And BTW, I've kept reptiles since I was 11, and have only had one animal die( it came to me diseased, and was the aforementioned gecko). I'm know 16, and can get a 'real job, so paying for vet bills isn't too much of a worry for me anymore.

 

[rockpaw]

True, I could probably make enough money to have a reasonable amount set aside for vet bills, but I am also a horseback rider, and I am saving up for showing horses as well (and let me tell you, that stuff is not cheap). I am going to focus on horse showing, and when I have more time and money, invest in the gecko later (most likely when I am older, or moving out of the house).

 

[Embrace Calamity]

$50 a month for an allowance? Wow. Didn't realise that's what people got. Sounds like quite a lot to me.

True, I could probably make enough money to have a reasonable amount set aside for vet bills, but I am also a horseback rider, and I am saving up for showing horses as well (and let me tell you, that stuff is not cheap). I am going to focus on horse showing, and when I have more time and money, invest in the gecko later (most likely when I am older, or moving out of the house).

Nothing with horses is cheap, that's for sure. Showing in what?

~Maggot

 

[rockpaw]

$50 a month for an allowance? Wow. Didn't realise that's what people got. Sounds like quite a lot to me.Nothing with horses is cheap, that's for sure. Showing in what?

~Maggot

Maybe I didn't make it clear enough. I don't get an allowance, I babysit for around $40 a month. I would love to get 50 bucks for allowance! lol And I totally agree, horses are not cheap animals. At all. I am showing Huntseat Equitation. If you are not familiar, it is basically English riding.

 

[Phoenix1115]

Maybe I didn't make it clear enough. I don't get an allowance, I babysit for around $40 a month. I would love to get 50 bucks for allowance! lol And I totally agree, horses are not cheap animals. At all. I am showing Huntseat Equitation. If you are not familiar, it is basically English riding.

I do the same! And yeah, one show last summer cost me around $200

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Maybe I didn't make it clear enough. I don't get an allowance, I babysit for around $40 a month. I would love to get 50 bucks for allowance! lol And I totally agree, horses are not cheap animals. At all. I am showing Huntseat Equitation. If you are not familiar, it is basically English riding.

I am. Rode with an English instructor for 8 years. She was more into jumper, though she did other things as well. I never showed myself as I don't really have any competitiveness in me. I was the person who worked with the abused/neglected/green horses instead because I was the only one in the barn who wasn't phased by whatever spinning, bucking, rearing, balking, kicking, or whatever else they did.

~Maggot