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hi I'm 13 years old i love everything about magic and ecsapology i really love going out and performing to members of the public and i love seeing their reactions but my parents won't support me when i go out they don't even make sure i am safe and my mum is always telling me to grow up and stop performing she wants me to settle down as she says and focus on what i should be doing in her eyes which includes studing and researching what i need in order to be a forensic scientist when i tell her i am working towards waht i really want she will take my equipment away to stop me from practisingbut i have my heart sett on making something of myself i want people to know who i am i feel at my happiest when i perfrom

so should i listen to my mum or shall i continue practing under tables so i can be me ?????
plus does anyone know a good place to buy escapology stuff

Welcome to TM.

Why can't you do both? You need an education more than you need magic and I guess your Mum is just trying to steer you down the right path. It might seem like she's trying to control you, but parents usually have the best in mind for their kids. If she's taking your magic stuff away it might be that she sees you practicing more and neglecting your studies. I know I wouldn't take any hobby away from my kids unless it was detrimental to their learning.

You've got a long life in front of you, you have a very slim chance of becoming the next Dynamo and making millions, so concentrate on your education and keep practicing the magic in your spare time.

Parents usually have the knowledge of their own years to draw their wisdom from. Of course you should keep practising the magic but never underestimate the importance of having a qualification to fall back on. The career in magic will come in time if thats what you really want.

Welcome to talkmagic.

Shaun.

ARe you going out in the street doing this daft street magic thing? It may be this that is setting your mother off. You would probably get less confrontation from her if you performed your magic in other venues. I get a vibe that this is the sort of thing that makes parents edgy.

As far as career is concerned you should definitely do what you want to do even if that means starving as a professional magician. People often end up living unhappy lives because they are doing jobs to fill the expectations of others. You SHOULD get education and in fact the more the better. But never give up the magic. It is the most exhilarating hobby on earth.

I was obsessed by magic when I was slightly older than you. My headmaster said to me, "Lewis, 90% of your time is taken up with magic and only 10% with school work. Why can't you make it 50% school and 50% magic?" He was probably right but I never did. That is why I know where you are coming from.

If I were advising your parents I would tell them to leave you alone. Doing magic tricks is a hell of a lot better than some of the activities that other teenagers get involved in. Better than glue sniffing anyway. But they should also encourage you to study other things. The more knowledge you have the better. Even if you were daft enought to eventually become a professional magician you would be amazed how your education will help you. Virtually any subject at school will help you as an entertainer.

Woodwork will help you to make props. Art will help you to illustrate your own magic books. Commerce will help you to understand the market place as an entertainer. Maths will help you to do your accounts and calculate how much money you are making. English will help you to write promotional material. I learned to type at school. And I do believe an educated man or woman is more likely to get work as an entertainer and fit in well with the best types of engagements.

I agree with a previous poster. You CAN do both. Mind you, I never did. I never practice what I preach but I am here to do the preaching rather than the practicing.

jessyvue,
Mum's really do know best: even if they don't always know the best way to guide us. You may not want to believe that , at 13, you really know what is best for you. The best bit of advice I have seen is keep your options open. Get the best education you can. Read Burling Hull's book on Rope Ties and Chain Releases, if you are really interested in escapeology and if you can find a copy. Or Karl Fulves 'Self Working Rope Magic' Buy books on the branches of magic that interest you. Show your mother that you are capable of getting an education and learning a wonderful art at the same time. Don't buy "tricks" That's the biggest trap.
Good Luck

Welcome to the club. . .

My parents thought it was "cute" when I was a kid doing shows in our backyard and even dealt with the more commercial things I was involved with in my early teens. By the time I was 16 and 17 however, they were wanting me to "grow up and fly right". . . tricks were for kids in their book and then too, I had that ultra-religious thing happening via my mother, who believed that stage magic was Satan's instrument to lure people away from God. . . then again, a look at how so many think in today's magic world, she may not have been far off on that fear.

It wasn't until they visited me in L.A. for the first time (early 80s) and saw the 2,000 sq. feet of warehouse packed with big odd looking boxes that they realized I'd never "grow up" or get a "real" job. To this day my mother regrets buying that Magic Kit way back in 1963 for Christmas let alone the puppets & vent dolls that followed.

To help counter some of their arguments I started looking at ways to prove how Magic was a positive influence in my life and more importantly, my education. That starts with learning math-based routines that make you seem a human calculator and math wizard. Developing a solid memory (not so much mnemonics as genuine memory -- there's a big difference in the two) that allows you to better recall details over time such as dates and events, recitation materials (poetry, scripts, stories, etc.) and of course, the confidence building side of things when it comes to being able to stand in public and speak with authority. There's obviously more to it than this, but by helping parents see a positive side to the craft you can slowly gain a stronger sense of support by them. Sadly though, not all parents as so easily swayed; some just have a very cut & dry way of looking at life and because they were never allowed to follow their dreams they think they are protecting their children by discouraging them early on, when it comes to shooting for the stars. They forget that we are not them and what our destiny ends up being has little to nothing to do with them . . . though it has been proven statistically that those who have family support tend to go further, faster in a chosen vocation vs. those that don't. That's not to say that those that aren't supported by family fail, only that the struggle tends to be greater but given determination, awareness and the integrity of that individual, success is not an impossible goal.

Craig,
Like any good Scot I always like something for nothing. BUT i,m always disappointed when I can't get it!
Your connection to lulu is not working.
David

Go to Libryary.com and do a search on my name, you should be able to find everything there as well.

Good advice above, I'd also recommend "Under, Over" by Joshua Jay (which iirc is available as a free PDF on the Vanishing Inc website) is packed with excellent advice to aspiring junior magicians and includes a "Show this section to your parents" chapter that addresses common questions and fears parents have voiced to him.

Check it out and get your Mum to read it!

fiftytwo wrote:which iirc is available as a free PDF on the Vanishing Inc website

Ah, I was right - http://www.vanishingincmagic.com/magic- ... nder-over/

Hello Jessyvue,

I'm sure your parents have only got your best interests at heart.
I think your what's known as being in the "terrible teens" stage of your young life

I could think of far worse things to do in life, than being a forensic scientist.
You could always get a job stacking shelves at your local super market. Or even better, become a well paid security guard
with rewardingly long hours.
It's quite a common thing my young friend for us older folks to no what lies ahead in life for someone so young as yourself.
Your parents only want what is best for you, & believe me, that's your education.

No reason why your magic dreams cannot continue, & I'm sure if your studies go well, your parents will support your magic more.

Magics probably a lot more fun than having your head burried in science books, but always better to be a smart magician mate.

Take care, & do as your told.

CArl...