+

[John Booty]

Also, there's probably 2 main reasons why parent's don't like anime.

Now, neither of them is RIGHT, but put yourself in their shoes...

#1: It seems silly to them since they've grown up thinking "animation=kids stuff" so they think you're crazy for liking it. Or, they think that "anime=ultraviolence and porn" and think you're crazy for THAT reason.

#2: They see you doing all this cosplay work, etc, for conventions and they're worried you're becoming obsessed. You know, they hear stories about kids getting obsessed with things and losing touch with reality. Hey, if YOU didn't know what anime was and your parents were getting dressed up for these strange cons, you'd be worried too!

Both reasons suck but it's only because they don't know any better. So help them learn, although going up against their closed minds can be sort of like banging your head against the wall. ^^

PS: God help me if I ever have kids!

[venus2869]

Well, since my tag does say: "Mom, Cosplayer, Otaku", let me give my thoughts on this matter.

I do watch anime, read manga, collect action figures & toys, go to cons & cosplay. But I am a office manager for a hearing aid company and a mother of a lovely 11 year old daughter.

My daughter has been going to cons with me since getting out of the womb(sorry for the grossness!) Her 1st cosplay was of Wolverine at the Motor City Comic Con. Just recently we went to Anime Central and planning on attening it again. I do make sure that the bills are paid, food is in the house and that everything ok before any purchases and other things related to our hobby is gotten.

Now in some cases I can understand their concern (to me $400 is alot for a cosplay, but I'm not saying it's wrong), they, in their own wacky way are trying to still look out for you. We will always do that, until the day they die. You're our babies, but some of us don't understand or just don't want to let you go. Most of the time it's a control thing too.

I tell my husband this when he complains about my supply trips to Jo Ann's or Michael's, "Is the rent paid? Yes, Did I get groceries? Yes, Are all the bills paid? Yes, Has this affect my job? No, Am I on the street, selling myself and putting me & our daughter in any danger? NO!, then shut up and let me enjoy my hobby!" (and of course he wants to cosplay too, but just too chicken to do it!)

Most people are amazed when I show them our pics from the cons and our costumes. (We've gone as Eternal Sailor Moon, Super Chibi Moon, Jessie from pokemon, Meilin Li, Rika from Digimon, Sailor Cosmos, and planning others) And I for one am glad that I have something that both me & my daughter enjoy together.

We go to the stores together, shop for supplies, ready manga, watch anime and so on TOGHETHER! Nowadays, most parents don't even know what their kids are doing, let alone doing things with them.

::sighs:: Let me sum it up like this:

This is a fun way to express myself. I have not let my home or my child responsibilities down while doing this.
I am not hurting anyone in anyway by doing this.
I have met wonderful people and gone to some wonderful places while doing what I love.
I have great memories with my child while doing this.

And I hope that she will do this with me when I'm older & will take her child and me with her when she goes!

[Sami]

Venus, you are officially the coolest mom ever. More power to you for doing something you love, -and- spending quality time with your child! ^_^

[John Booty]

Venus, that rules! It's so cool that you and your kid can do that together.

My parents are awesome and I love them, but there's a total generation gap- we don't have much in common at all, so it sort of limits our closeness!

You rock! ^_^

[Keurblitz]

Originally posted by venus2869
Well, since my tag does say: "Mom, Cosplayer, Otaku", let me give my thoughts on this matter.

I do watch anime, read manga, collect action figures & toys, go to cons & cosplay. But I am a office manager for a hearing aid company and a mother of a lovely 11 year old daughter.

My daughter has been going to cons with me since getting out of the womb(sorry for the grossness!) Her 1st cosplay was of Wolverine at the Motor City Comic Con. Just recently we went to Anime Central and planning on attening it again. I do make sure that the bills are paid, food is in the house and that everything ok before any purchases and other things related to our hobby is gotten.

Now in some cases I can understand their concern (to me $400 is alot for a cosplay, but I'm not saying it's wrong), they, in their own wacky way are trying to still look out for you. We will always do that, until the day they die. You're our babies, but some of us don't understand or just don't want to let you go. Most of the time it's a control thing too.

I tell my husband this when he complains about my supply trips to Jo Ann's or Michael's, "Is the rent paid? Yes, Did I get groceries? Yes, Are all the bills paid? Yes, Has this affect my job? No, Am I on the street, selling myself and putting me & our daughter in any danger? NO!, then shut up and let me enjoy my hobby!" (and of course he wants to cosplay too, but just too chicken to do it!)

Most people are amazed when I show them our pics from the cons and our costumes. (We've gone as Eternal Sailor Moon, Super Chibi Moon, Jessie from pokemon, Meilin Li, Rika from Digimon, Sailor Cosmos, and planning others) And I for one am glad that I have something that both me & my daughter enjoy together.

We go to the stores together, shop for supplies, ready manga, watch anime and so on TOGHETHER! Nowadays, most parents don't even know what their kids are doing, let alone doing things with them.

::sighs:: Let me sum it up like this:

This is a fun way to express myself. I have not let my home or my child responsibilities down while doing this.
I am not hurting anyone in anyway by doing this.
I have met wonderful people and gone to some wonderful places while doing what I love.
I have great memories with my child while doing this.

And I hope that she will do this with me when I'm older & will take her child and me with her when she goes!

If only my parents were this cool.... I'd be going to a lot of other cons....

[digikoomi]

Well, this time my parents said it's such wasting time and money for cosplay...so sad people still dont understand that point

[John Booty]

I think I know what you mean, Digikoomi. I mean, I'm 26 and haven't lived at home in years but I still get the same thing from my parents when I fly across the country for AX or whatever.

I was naming some of the reasons why parents and my friends' parents don't like the whole con/cosplay/anime thing.

I don't know, maybe your parents fall into one of those categories.

What do you think it is that bothers them about it?

[KuroBara]

I know what you mean, after the customary rolling of their eyes, my parents always ask how much I spent on costumes & cons.

Just hold on digikoomi, you'll move out one day, right?

[Oshi]

Moving out... peh, if it didn't cost so much, I would...
Then again.. maybe I could manage it...
I'm gonna look into that... I am getting a raise soon after all...

I think, after I do my first half-year of Co-Op at college (which is going and getting a real job), I'll have enough.
I just turned 18, i can't be ready yet >.<

</thinkoutloud>

[John Booty]

For me, personally... moving out of the parents' house TOTALLY helped my relationship with them. I thought they were the lamest people ever, but now I see how awesome they are! My brother says the same thing.

The possible downside is that if you ever have to move back IN with them, that's probably going to seem like jail compared with the freedom of living on your own. ^_^;;;

[Ranma Saotome]

Originally posted by Sami
Venus, you are officially the coolest mom ever. More power to you for doing something you love, -and- spending quality time with your child! ^_^

That reminds me... I once had to convince my mother NOT to goto Animazement as Nodoka Saotome!

[Ranma Saotome]

Originally posted by Oshi
I just turned 18, i can't be ready yet >.<

Dood, I thought you were 20.

[venus2869]

Thanks everyone! I don't think I'm a cool mom, but I do understand and try to make sure that my little one is happy!


Here's a pic of us, at our local con as Eternal Sailor Moon & Super Chibi Moon. Some of you might have seen us at Anime Central! Although, I didn't wear my ESM

I"m also kinda the "mom" of my cosplay group/business. I'm the one making sure that everyone's plans are set, costumes are done, props are gotten, reservations are made, registrations have been sent in and so on....

Most parents will go on past experiences with themselves, that's why you get the "no!" or other reactions when you tell them about a cosplay project or con plans.

Don't let them get you down. The "moving out" idea is a big help I agree. It was sooo much easer when I was on my own, not saying that my mom got on me about my cosplays (I was living with my mom right after my daughter was born, but it was a separate living arrangements)

She understood that it was my hobby/lifestyle, but I wasn't letting my child down and I was taking care of business while doing it. Most of the time, I use my tax refund $ for my con plans, and hit a garage sale to get supplies.

As my sig says....

[Ranma Saotome]

Way past cool Venus! Here's also a picture of a mom and daughter team! Those who went to AXNY, Otakon, and Shoujocon have seen them- Karen and Julia.

Karen is Dejiko and Julia is Puchiko. They also cosplayed as Hand Maid May and Sakura Kinomoto, respectively.

[Kitty]

Kitty agrees with Adella Yahoooo and Wheeeeeeeee