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Hi, check this section for ideas... http://www.redearslider.com/index_nutrition.html

Feel free to direct your parents to this site if they also want to learn more about turtle keeping.

To be able to tell gender, you need to wait until the turtle is about 3.5". The egg laying depends, though I'd guestimate at around 5".

Hey Kitty!

Did your parents say what the actual issue with feeding him other items is? I just today got a bunch of dandelion for $1.49 and about a pound of turnip green for 92 cents! If you can get together a couple of dollars and there is room in your fridge, you can pick up one or two of the vegetables in the nutrition sticky. Many of them are quite affordable -- even cheaper than pellets! I've found my lettuce when kept in a bag lasts about a week! Not a bad investment! Just be sure to clean them pretty well before you put them in Teenie's tank!

If you're feeling bold, you could tell your parents you're trying to be a responsible pet-owner!
Or, you could casually hide one of those items in the fridge!! : ) My mom and dad don't like the frozen cubes I have in the freezer, but theyre wrapped up and in a bag out of everyones way.
And I agree with steve - -show them the website!

GOOD LUCKK!

Kitty - There are lots of household foods that you can feed your turtle and it shouldn't amount to much more than a bite for a human, so no real loss. Here's a list of foods that you can easily feed if you have them around:

Strawberries (once per week)
Blueberries (once per week)
Apple peel/apple slivers (once per week)
Mango slivers (once per week)
Carrot strips (once or twice per week)
Leafy greens - romaine, green/red leaf, dandelion greens (as often as you want)
Boiled sweet potato (once per week)

Boiled egg whites, boiled chicken, cooked fish, cooked shrimp - Once per month treats as they are high in protein

If you live in a "safe" area, as in an area that you are confident no pesticides are used on your lawn or no run-off can occur, you can grow your own dandelion greens as well! Consider asking your parents if you can grow a garden. Also many of the fruits can be frozen, and then just let them thaw and drop them in to the tank. I have a freezer baggie of strawberries and blueberries just for the turtle.

Also, I don't want to probe into your family life, but if you are being yelled at too much or over stupid things, consider speaking to another family member or teacher. Times are rough, and everyone is on the edge, but if you are getting a serious tongue lashing over feeding your turtle, that may be going a little too far. Definitely recommend that your parents check out the main site, or just casually say that you learned more about turtles, and that as they age, they require more veggies!