I asked

bolinger65 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-10-2007, 02:58 PM

I had asked my parents what they thought of it and they said it was stupid. I tried to convince them in so many ways but it did not work. Well thanks for helping.

Gumball · #2 (**permalink**) 01-10-2007, 04:08 PM

I am so sorry that your parents reaceted that way! I have 3 teenagers, and although I don't always understand their passions, I try to support them and their dreams and ideas.
I am just now getting into clowning and I am 46 years old! My 17 year old daughter thinks that it is stupid and is embarrassed of it, but it makes me happy and, ultimately,hopefully it will make lots of others happy.
Don't let your dream die. If you still have strong desire and passion when you are a little older, you can make your dreams a reality! In the mean time, maybe you can check out some library books about clowning, ballooning, and magic tricks and learn all you can. (Last week I checked out 16 books from our local library.) Being a clowning is alot more than making balloon animals and tricks, but for you it may be a good place to start since your parents think clowning is a stupid idea. Hang in there!
~ o Gumball o

saphireSue · #3 (**permalink**) 01-10-2007, 08:56 PM

Gumball just wait til you have her in the car, while in costume, it can be so much fun [ I have a 20, 17, 11 year old girls]

tim · #4 (**permalink**) 01-10-2007, 08:57 PM

No one can ultimately keep you from clowning. if it's in you it's in you.. and it has to come out. You can clown without getting all "made up", costumed, doing preprogrammed "stuff". Why not work on developing your character, anyway? Just pay attention to how you personally interact in certain situations and where the potential for comedy lies? Wear an oddly unmatching pair of socks someday or try turning your shirt inside out. Develop your skills. Try some juggling or a little pocket magic... whatever you like. You may not be perceived as a full blown "clown", but in reality you'll be clowning covertly without anyone realizing it. Perhaps with time, you'll be able to further things, particularly if people apprecaite your ability to be entertaining (and maybe make some money at it eventually, even).

Unfortunately, others often don't understand clowns, what it's all about, and what makes us so unique. It takes time and patience to get people to come around. Persistance pays off!

Jitterbug · #5 (**permalink**) 01-10-2007, 10:13 PM

Tim is absolutely correct. (I can't believe I'm telling a MAN that he's right). jk.
Anyway, yes, develop what you might think your character might be like. Kinda create an alter ego. (Batman comes to mind) but a Clown one instead. Don't defy your parents or anything rebellious, but just add a little here, and a little there. Eventually youll be out on your own, and you'll be able to do whatever you please. Until then. Just have fun when you're out of the house.
And in the mean time...PRAY
Bump a nose, and we're always here for you. Gosh, I hope my kids want to sneak around clowning instead of doing drugs. Your parents should be proud!
Jitterbug

Scruffy · #6 (**permalink**) 01-11-2007, 05:09 AM

This remnds me of an episode of the Simpsons.... namely, the one that tells the origin of krusty the Clown. Kusty's father is actually the most respected Rabbi n all of springfield. And Young Herchel Krustovski, Wants to be a clown against the wishes of his father.....
Anyway, I don't know your situation at home. And I am the last person to tell any kid to go against their parents. Ultimately; they are who you should respect. A smilar story from me. When I was young, I decided I wanted to be a Luthier (Someone who makes guitars). My parents didn't think I could make a living and support a family doing it. After I graduated from College, and got married I decided to learn the trade. My wife and I moved back to my hometown from hers, and I took a job delivering pizza in the evenings (It's hard to believe it, but fifteen years ago, I made really good money for the time delivering pizza.) My dad thought I was crazy. But he said that I was" free, white, and over the age of 21" (almost 25) so it was my choice. Up until about two years ago. That was how I made my living. I fed my wife. three sons, paid a car payment and a mortgage payment on it. I would still be doing it full time if Icould have afforded to buy the shop where I worked. Anyway. I hope someday soon to return to doing what I truly am good at (Besides Clowning). But for now, it's not an option. I do repair work on the side. And with the shoulder injury, I haven't been able to do hardly anything.
Anyway. Then you go up, are on your own, and pay your own way in the world, you are then an adult. I myself love clowning. I can believe I actually hung it up for 20 years. It seem like I never stopped. I don't really think I did. I still thought like a clown, analized humor like a clown. Clowning is part of who I am and effects everything that I do and how I do it. I can't change that. But, I never stopped studying clowning. Keep studing clowning, learn ballooning, magic, pantomime, what have you. But look into finding a career in the real world. It will make it easier to pay bills when you are older.
Good Luck, and keep us posted. Don't let your dream die ultimately. Work slowly to build a foundation under it so it won't collapse.

tim · #7 (**permalink**) 01-11-2007, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jitterbug

Gosh, I hope my kids want to sneak around clowning instead of doing drugs. Your parents should be proud!
Jitterbug

This is your brain. This is your brain covered by a yak.

tim · #8 (**permalink**) 01-11-2007, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scruffy

When I was young, I decided I wanted to be a Luthier

But his Catholic parents said, "We'll have none of those protestations in our house!"

Quote:

Good Luck, and keep us posted. Don't let your dream die ultimately. Work slowly to build a foundation under it so it won't collapse.

The stories I often hear from some of the best artists are about how their parents vehemently objected to their thoughts on such a vocation. But they would have never been happy in life had they not followed their dream.

stitches · #9 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 12:26 PM

This is a good one for Jamz to answer.

Jamz, I understand you had the chance to clown with Ringling Bros. at 16, but didn't have your family's support. Is that correct?

The_Princess_of_Bozonia · #10 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 12:47 PM

I think it's sad your parents don't understand your desire to be a clown, but that doesn't mean your dream should die. Take this time to learn what you can about clowning, stick with us on the forum, and when it's time to try, you'll be ready and you'll knock your parents' socks off.

Hang in there