How to convince a dad to go to IRI

[MissInformation]

Originally Posted by dlavery

Tell him that 5-1/2 hours in the car each way is a great opportunity for some wonderful father-daughter bonding. Now that you are out of high school and in college, those opoprtunities will be few and far-between, and none of them should be wasted. It is events such as these that will generate the precious memories that you will both look back upon years and years from now. These are the moments that will create the stories that you will be able to tell his grandchildren. In other words, play off his guilt!

Dave's idea is a really good one, but if you use it make sure you actually spend quality time with your dad, both in the car and at the competition. Don't just go to sleep if he's driving, or let him go to sleep if you're driving, actually talk to him, and maybe even play some car games. If he still hasn't agreed, go make a mixed CD/tape of music for you to listen to on the drive, try to pick music you both like, if that isn't possible, choose music he likes and learn to love it. Offer to wash and wax the car (minivan, suv, etc) so that it looks nice for the trip.

Does you dad know any people from other teams? If he doesn't, try to find a team to "adopt" him, a team he can sit with so that he's not alone if you want to (and I assume you do) go off and visit with people on your own. You should also do a little bit of research on the other teams that will be there and give him a tour of the pitts, pointing out special things about all of the robots, like bring him by our area and point out our weird and wonderful drive system!

Of course, you could also just show him this thread and I think he'll get the idea of how much going to IRI means to you.

Heidi

Originally Posted by dlavery

p.s. note that 5-1/2 hours in the car with your daughter on the way to IRI is NOT the same as 10 hours in the van with seven members of Team 116 on the way to IRI. One is a wonderful familial experience, the other is an opportunity to go insane.

p.s. Earplugs are a good thing to have if I have to do any of the driving, because if I'm not swearing like a sailor, I'm singing, and I couldn't carry a tune even if it had handles. Insanity is overrated.