I took my 12 yr old to the circus and he befriended the 'Carnies'. Now he wants to be shot from a cannon

Question

I'm not sure, but he's very insistent. Should I let him do it and get it out of his system? Or will it ruin his career prospects? I don't want him to sell toffee apples all his life, I was hoping for accountancy.

Answer 1

I should think that being shot from a cannon would be much more exciting than a career spent in a cubicle at a large corporation.

My first job was at a snack bar at an amusement park and I used to hang out with the guys from the stunt show during my time off. They taught me some punches and how to fall from the roof of a two-storey building. But I got it out of my system and went to college anyway.

Answer 2

Cool, I want to be shot from a cannon! How often does that experience come along? I don't think you have much to worry about. He might like the circus now, but when he's older, he not gonna be some carnie. It's probably just a phase he's going through. The only thing I would worry about is if they try to sell him or something.

Answer 3

A BIG NO Dude. He might hurt himself. Can you afford that? We must understand that those Carnies undergone a lot of series of training to master their craft for a very obvious reason... those stunts are their jobs. Nevertheless, do not turn your son down instantly. Talk to him in a manner he won't feel rejected or something that will make him think you don't trust him. Use the so-called Reverse Psychology. You must be able to make him understand that those Carnies do their stuff because it is their job and they need to do that for their living. He must also understand he has a lot of better things to do ahead. Sure, he'll be allowed to do that but not as a profession but for fun or self fulfilment and the most important is that to be able to do that he must undergo training for that matter.

Answer 4

He's only 12- he'll change his mind several more times about what he really wants to do before he actually makes his career choice. Sometimes things seem pretty glamourous when you're seeing them from the outside, and once you get in and see what it's like firsthand, it ends up being completely different. It never hurts to let him try; he will at least be able to say he tried it, and will thank you later for granting him the experience. It'll give him some great stories to tell his kids and grand kids also!

Answer 5

Show your son all of the carnie workers and let him know that he'll have to work his way up to being shot out of a cannon. For example, they'll probably start him out as the guy who kisses the two headed mustached woman.

Answer 6

At 12? No, I don't think you should let your son get shot from a cannon at 12.
If it's totally safe and he can't get hurt, then yes. The reason why is that everyone should try something at least once.

Answer 7

He sounds like a fairly typical 12 y/o boy to me.
Tell him that if he still wants to be shot out of a cannon when he's 18, THEN he should go for it.

Answer 8

I would suggest offering him gymnastics classes as an introduction to "flying".A year or two of classes.
Let him know he has to be in shape to do be shot out of a cannon and gymnastics will do that.. Gymnastics helps with flexibility and grace and if he gets good...sure let him be shot out of a cannon.

Answer 9

It's not so bad. I was built for Robot Wars, but after Sir Killalot kicked my head in I got evicted and found my way into the circus. Now I'm in the freakshow where everyone comes and points and laughs WITH me.
Actually, I've seen your son, he'd fit in well here, we could call him 'Earwig Boy'.

Answer 10

Well I'm a magician and it's a well paid job, How many people do you know that get paid FROM £90 a show which normally is about 45 minutes so under an hour. for most people that's about half their salary every week. let him experience life. it wont hurt.