The best time is when they are relaxed and in a good mood - not when they are busy with something else or worried about something. The best way? Put the game into a new light - it's not JUST a game, but an educational vehicle... Think about it - it's the perfect way to REALLY lean about economics, supply and demand - it is a perfect (well, as perfect as you can get without being real life) working model of an economic system. You make stuff, you sell stuff, you buy stuff - we learn that it's not always a good idea to sell to a store because they have to make their profit and you don't get as much money. We learn how to barter and sell our products AND we learn how to work harder if we want to buy something that costs a lot of money (like the whip I want.) Best of all, if you offer to pay for the membership with your own money then it's teaching YOU responsibility. I would get my allowance and then turn around and HAND them the money for your membership - and I would make sure that I always had it to give them when it was coming due. I think if you sit down and talk to them about this in an intelligent way - they are at least going to think about it! Good luck!!!! :D