Just read

[FLAherper]

Hi guys. Im 14 and come on this forum alot. I saw the 2 threads about the beardie in the closet situation and wanted to say somethings. I dont think it was right what he did, but parents can be frustrating, I know because my dad just made me give away my 2 bps. Its still not ok to put a beardies life in jeapordy, and the 80bucks WAS making a wrong profit but he titled the thread thanks/sorry! he followed your advice as he saw fit. I dont think it was right for anyone to say the nasty things that were mentioned and next time he has a question I doubt he will come here. As a teenager we look to you guys for help on reptile care and life advice and sometimes we make some really stupid decisions. But YOU guys were OUR age once and probally did some dumbthings. I hope the beardie is in a good home, balls r us stays on this forum, and you guys feel a little remorse over what was said. Just my thoughts, moderator please let this thread stay a little while. Thanks

[Skittles1101]

WE were all teenagers once too. To say parents are annoying sometimes is an understatement. When someone comes here for advice, then just blows everyone off because they know everything, THAT is what people have a problem with. He was given about 5 other options besides taking it himself and hiding it from his parents. He did what he wanted to do anyways, against everyone's advice, and to top it off he sold the "poor homeless beardie" for 80 bucks that he's probably going to spend on drugs and alcohol anyways.

I did NOT get along with my mother at 14. She was a single mom for me and my two siblings, and she seemingly dictated my life. I thank her every day now that I am older and a parent myself. EVERYTHING she did molded me into the adult I am now. She was keeping us safe, providing us with a sense of responsibility, and we had to WORK for what we got. I'm sure there's a reason your dad made you get rid of your snakes, and it sucks, but there was probably a reason for it. I highly doubt he just woke up one day and said "hey, say goodbye to your snakes". NOT necessarily saying you did something wrong, so don't bite my head off, but at 14 I doubt you are capable of paying for much, I'm sure the financial responsibility is on them as well. Long story short, that kid clearly didn't care what anyone had to say, so why come here at all?

I love the part where he says he's mature for his age, yet he's hiding drugs and alcohol from his parents. At 16 I was no angel, but I was open and honest to my mom and it got me a lot farther than you'd think. For the record, my idea of a mature 16 year old is one who's planning for their future, getting good grades, keeping friends close, working at their job as well as at home....etc.

[FLAherper]

I want to say thanks youve replied on some on some of my other threads. I dont believe the part on the drugs and alcohol I think he put it on here to look cool because he also mentioned he drives a moped so trying to counteract the lameness? Lol I think he realized it was wrong after what was said and did do it his way but I think he really wanted it but I am glad he sold it.
Also, I hate when people say dont chew me out on this, I think its good when people express there opinions politely and thats not needed. I payed for my ball pythons in full. I work for my dad in the summer( hes a it trainer and I help him with some computer stuff on the new things) and also do yardwork, pressurewashing, and other things for some adults in my neighborhood.

[Cendalla]

Hello FLAherper, it's nice to see young reptile lovers on here. I would normally say that this is a very worm welcoming community. You are right, we all were (and some are) that age once. I had the joy of coming from a home that had many animals and they were unimaginably spoilt. I think people were upset about the care that was being considered acceptable by the op in those threads. I would have never stashed an animal in my closet to keep it from my parents. Not for my sake, or my parents, but for the animals.

It was good that he did care enough to not turn his back on the situation. But the tone of the posts lead a lot of people to believe that it was just someone on here that was just trying to bother people or that the person was really that narcissistic. He asked questions and people answered. They were even polite at first. His direct response to answers and inquires that where not what he wanted to hear was juvenile. And some of our responses back were too. I believe I posted once saying that I didn't believe it was a real situation and that the person in question was a troll.

We really do want to help people and we really do love our lizards, snakes, turtles, spiders and whatnot. We don't want to run people off be we really don't want people to think that shoving an animal in the closet is appropriate either. A lizard deserves the same consideration as the family's dog and cat.

Im sorry- Im rambling. I really hope this doesn't turn you or others away. The fact is is that we are all people too and sometimes we can also be immature.

[FLAherper]

Accidently hi enter instead of tab, the story on my snakes gone for a little bit is my dad hates snakes he was bit in the boot as a kid by a large rattlesnake while playing and saw the venom running down the boot his dad shot it scared the crap out of him, BUT hes an understanding guy and was open to me getting some snakes and paid for part of the tanks and food. He decided to get manly and handled cloe on feeding day and wham she bit and didnt let go. His dad just died a couple of months ago and he just said i should give them to my aunt who works at an animal hospital. I think their coming back home soon anyways.

[FLAherper]

Thanks for the reply cendalla. I just wanted to express my thoughts on it. And I agree I consider myself mature for my age but I can act immature to. Everbody can but we have to admit that

[Skittles1101]

I want to say thanks youve replied on some on some of my other threads. I dont believe the part on the drugs and alcohol I think he put it on here to look cool because he also mentioned he drives a moped so trying to counteract the lameness? Lol I think he realized it was wrong after what was said and did do it his way but I think he really wanted it but I am glad he sold it.
Also, I hate when people say dont chew me out on this, I think its good when people express there opinions politely and thats not needed. I payed for my ball pythons in full. I work for my dad in the summer( hes a it trainer and I help him with some computer stuff on the new things) and also do yardwork, pressurewashing, and other things for some adults in my neighborhood.

(LOL @ the moped comment!)

I can say this because I am young at 22, but also mature being a mother and mostly responsible adult, I was 14 once and I KNOW it's hard. As bad as this sounds, at that age your brains are not even fully developed. It's a fact. The thought process in young teens seems completely logical, but half the time you'll look back in ten years and say "what was I thinking?". I can't tell you how many of those moments I've had. I always tell my mom:

"I never thought I'd say this, but I am SOOO happy I turned out like you"
At 14, I would have kicked my own ass and thrown me into some bushes for saying something crazy like that. My advice to you and that other guy, just do your best, you're going to make mistakes, but learn from them.
<end mom moment>

[Cendalla]

My advice to you and that other guy, just do your best, you're going to make mistakes, but learn from them.
<end mom moment>

I tried not to sound like a mom but I think I failed miserably

[mitochondria]

At first I took the "bearded dragon" person at face value. Towards the end of the thread I really felt like he was trolling. When he said he got the lizard an anole to eat I actually laughed.

If the thread was legit you make a good point though. I'm still young enough to remember how stupid I was growing up. I don't want to be super judgmental with my kids. Everyone makes mistakes. I'm actually a pretty strict dad but with most things I would rather talk than yell.

[MikeV]

Lol I have little to no sympathy for somebody who acted the way "Balls R Us" acted. If you are going to come and ask for a community to help you... then you better be ready to accept it

And I have a VERY good eye for trolls. Very. I actually trolled well over a few thousand people for a few months on a game. So I have done it and been there, and those two threads had TROLOOLLOLOLLOLOLOLOLOLOL written all over them

I personally read both threads, and I cant believe the amount of patience and help members of this forum went through with the original poster.

And in response to everybodys help?

Nothing.. he didnt listen to ANYBODYS adivce and would not even talk about possible solutions to the problem

ALSO, LOL at the starting line of his first thread:

"I drive a moped to school"

epic. Successful troll is Successful?