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To convince your parents to get a bird, show them that you're responsible and that you've done your homework. Present them with your request by making a presentation, which should outline why you want a bird and how you're ready to take care of one. Show them that you're up to the task by doing responsible things like getting good grades, cleaning your room, and helping around the house.
Steps
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Choose a distraction-free time. Ask your parents to sit down with you for a discussion during a time when they won’t be distracted (e.g. after supper, before the evening news). Arrange the time a day or two in advance to make sure that you have time to prepare. Right before your discussion, make sure to turn off the TV, radio, or anything else that could distract from your talk.
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Talk about what kind of bird you want, and why. Begin your presentation by telling your parents what type of bird you want and list some of the things you like about it. Talk about the positive qualities of this bird (e.g. that it is a lively and entertaining). Mention the reason why you think this bird would be a good addition to the family. [1] X Research source
- For instance, tell your parents that you want a pet cockatiel because cockatiels are intelligent, friendly, quieter than other birds, and family-friendly.
- To make sure you give a detailed presentation and don’t forget anything, write down everything that you are telling your parents and read it out to them. If you wish, give them a booklet with all of your points and research listed clearly.
- Having a good reason for wanting something can help convince your parents to get it for you.
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Show them pricing for the bird. Tell your parents exactly how much the bird you want will cost and where it is available. Contact local pet stores to see what birds they have available and what prices they are being sold for. If you can, visit the store to see which bird you like best and get pricing information in person. [2] X Research source
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Tell them what kind of cage the bird will need. Show your parents that you have done a lot of research about the bird you want by telling them exactly what kind of indoor cage it will require. As a general rule, smaller birds like finches or canaries require a minimum of 1000 square centimeters in floor area, while larger birds like parrots need 15,000 square centimeters. Write down the specifications for the cage you need, and look into stores that sell cages like it.
- Look into a travel cage as well, for use in case of vet visits or emergencies.
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List the ways in which you will be caring for the bird. Outline the tasks that you will do regularly to care for the bird that you wish to get. For instance, note that you will feed it and change the lining of its cage daily (which is required for proper hygiene). Doing so may reassure your parents that they will not be the ones left to take care of the bird all the time.
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Make a sample meal plan for your bird. Research the type of bird you want, and then write a sample menu for what you would feed it in a given week to keep it healthy and satisfied. In general, birds are healthiest when fed high quality pellet food, with a side of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Take note that, contrary to popular belief, seeds are fattening and not as nutritious as other bird foods.
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Write down all the important contact information that you will need. Show that your bird’s health and well-being will be important to you by writing down a list of local avian veterinarians. In addition, write down any walk-in or emergency veterinary clinics that treat birds. You should also look up a number for poison control, in the event that your bird ingests something potentially toxic.
- To find an avian veterinarian near you, visit the Association of Avian Veterinarian’s website at https://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803 .
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Present solutions to potential problems. Try to guess what arguments your parents will give for not wanting to get a bird and write them down. Come up with answers and solutions to these concerns beforehand so you are prepared. If you have a well-informed response to their concerns, you will prove that you have done a lot of research and thought things through.
- For instance, if you think your parents will be worried about a bird chewing wires or getting caught in a ceiling fan, show them a plan for bird-proofing certain rooms in the house (i.e. hiding or covering wires, closing windows and doors).
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Get good grades. The best way to show you’re parents that you’re capable of taking care of a bird is to fulfill your other responsibilities. Make getting good grades a priority by devoting time to reading, studying, doing homework, and organizing your workload. Participate actively in your classes, be punctual, and ask for help from your teachers, classmates, or a tutor if you feel like you are falling behind.
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Clean your room. Show that you can provide a good living environment for a bird by cleaning your room without being asked to. Ask your parents for boxes or storage bins to organize your things in, and clear out any garbage, recycling, or items (e.g. clothing, books) that you can donate to a local charity. Make your bed and make sure that all of your clean clothes are folded and put away neatly.
- Show that you are committed to getting a bird by clearing out a space in your room large enough to fit the size of a bird cage that you will need for the bird of your choice.
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Do chores around the house. Helping your parents with household chores will make you look responsible and help you gain points with them. Choose tasks around the house to do without prompting from your parents. Helpful chores might include:
- Taking out the trash
- Watering the plants
- Cleaning the microwave
- Dusting
- Vacuuming
- Doing the dishes
- Sweeping the floor
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Article Summary
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If your parents are reluctant to get a bird, there are a few things you can say to help convince them. Wait until your parents are in a good mood and have time to talk so they’ll be more likely to listen to you. Tell them which bird you want and why it’s important to you. Really play up the bird's good qualities, like how fun it will be to have around, how beautiful it is, and how family-friendly it will be. Explain how you’ll care for it and what you’ll need to feed it to prove to your parents that you've done your research. Before you ask your parents, try to keep up with your chores and keep your room tidy to show that you’re responsible enough to take care of the bird. For more tips, including how to solve problems your parents might have with the bird, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "This article is awesome! It took some time, but I successfully convinced my parents to let me get a budgie! I did chores, got good grades, studied the bird and everything in between, and it paid off! I can't wait till I purchase one!" ..." more
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"This article is awesome! It took some time, but I successfully convinced my parents to let me get a budgie! I did chores, got good grades, studied the bird and everything in between, and it paid off! I can't wait till I purchase one!"
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"In lockdown, I had nothing to do and really wanted a pet, for which my parents kept saying no. I read wikiHow and used the tricks shown in it and now on my birthday I will have 2 cockatiels named Butterscotch and Cinnamon."
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"This article helped me a lot, and I wrote a persuasive essay about getting a parrot, and gave it to my parents. They are currently thinking about it, but I'm confident that they'll say yes."
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"I looked at this a couple months ago because I really wanted a budgie; I knew my parents were going to say no. This came up and I tried all techniques. They worked, and now I have a budgie!"
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"I wanted a canary but we were going to move out in a month. I asked/begged my mom for quite some time until I read this. I followed the steps and now I have a adorable canary named Quinn."
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