mom needs convincing...

[leonut]

I,ve already convinced my mom to let me get as many reptiles as I can care for... any reptile except snakes. I think she needs a bit of convincing. all i want is one corn snake. and every time i try to talk to her she cuts me off.
any ideas on how to get her to be a bit more open to our leggless friends?

 

[bohannbj]

They are better than drugs. When I was your age I had a leo and a saltwater fish tank. I spent all my money on the "exotic" animals, so I had no time or money for crack. At least this addiction doesn't come with hard time, and my wife and I have fun keeping them together.
Brent

 

[leonut]

Good point.

 

[Alusdra]

You might just have to give up on the snakes until you move out. My parents were like that, too. And it's not like the "no way" that can be convinced, either. They also said "there will never be a mouse, gerbil or parrot in this house EVER" but with months of prep I got all three in. I think there was childhood trauma associated with all three of the above (for my mom and dad). Snakes? Total visceral no. Many people are like that until they actually meet a snake and see how cool and not slimy they are. Well, and plus then you would have mice in the house, potentially, which are not reptiles. Keep working on it, I guess. See if they'll budge.

lol @ the drugs comment!

 

[The Sunset Gang]

When I got my cornsnake, my mom was all for it and it was my dad who WE had to convince. He doesn't know it is even here half the time, and I told him the top of the cage will be shut and have weights on it and I was take care of it. But if they still say no, get it and tell them to deal with it. lol.

 

[leonut]

I'm sure my dad won't care but my mom hates snakes. maybe if i show her how cute they are...

 

[mynewturtle]

No offence: I wouldn't suggest having corn snakes till your older and your mom noes your mature enough to handle it. Cornsnakes are sneaky little buggers and get out a lot now how would your mom like if a 2-3 foot corn snake got out not know where it is.. I'm not a snake person so this is all just what I've read so if I'm wrong go ahead and get a corn be aware they are more cute as hatchlings then adults!

 

[leonut]

OH, don't worry first I have an uncle who has a snake and he tells me all about snake safety. and second, I think there cute as adults too.

 

[The Sunset Gang]

Sorry, but I have to disagree. You have to be mature when owning and taking care of any reptile. But, if you do your research and know how to take care of them, he should be fine. I had my first corn when I was 12. My mom did help with feedings but now I am fifteen and I take care of my new corn 100% on my own. You just need to make sure that the cage lid stays shut with weights on it so they it doesn't get out.

 

[leonut]

well, I don't mean to sound rude but, I AM a reptile owner and I HAVE done research on them.

 

[Ccrashca069]

There is no real easy way to convince your mom. You can keep trying to show her the cornsnakes at all the Reptile shops and shows you go to and keep asking for one for your birthday and Christmas and maybe after awhile she will give in. I would love to have a Red Tail Boe but my wife is against feeding anything live or rats and she just does not like snakes. My best friend Joe has a Reptile rescue so I help him handle all the snakes he has so even though I can't own a snake I can still handle them when I want.

 

[Leopardbreeder]

Kaleb: Why do you think a younger person would have any less responsibility than say, a 30 year old. I have a corn snake and I feed him and take care of him just as much as any other person would. I am now running my reptiles and supplies business and am having a great time. Ask any of my customers if they were no happy with my service. I ship next day, while taking care of school, sports, reptiles, and other personal things.

As far as convincing goes, keep bugging them. Thats how I got mine:main_laugh:. They just couldn't take me bugging them anymore, and they gave up! lol

 

[leonut]

wow, thats realy cool. I would like to start breeding too but we don't have a lot of extra space at my house.

 

[The Sunset Gang]

Matt, we think the same way. My parents are to the point where they don't care what I bring into the house, just no poisonous. The only thing is keep up the grades and extracurricular activities and I need to pay for all animals and cages etc.

 

[leonut]

my parents are more aloung the lines of We don't care what you bring in the house as long as it dosn't stink and not a SNAKE.

 

[Ccrashca069]

well that kinda sucks. You can always get some more differant types of geckos. Some on my wish list are, Diplodactylus galeatus(Austrailan Sand Gecko), pictas( Madagascan ground gecko), viper geckos, fat tails, and last but not leaste Gargoyle geckos. I am still going to be buying a couple more leopards like a female Albino Bell, and a pair of tangs for breeding.

 

[Leopardbreeder]

Let me know if you find someone selling vipers at this time of the year. I have been looking and looking but cant find anyone with Sexables.

 

[T&KBrouse]

Alright, heres an idea for what you can do. (I can't believe I'm doing this);

Find a local shelter or reptile rescue nearby. Volunteer as a "foster parent" for snakes, or if you can specify, colubrids. Do some hands-on work away from the house with the rescues, then conveniently, bring one home as a "foster child" for weekend care or something. Make up something like, "This one just came in. Its been badly neglected and has an RI. It needs to be warmed up and rehydrated, so I'm going to care for it this weekend and take it back on Monday for a recheck. Poor thing is really sick."

~Instead of "it" use "he" or "she." (This personalizes the animal).
~Play on her maternal need to help anything feel better by mentioning how sick the little guy or girl is (even if it isn't).

One of the keys to getting to a mother is to bring in the humanitarian efforts, followed by subtle education on the animal's care. Then start asking her opinions on things like, how to keep it warm, how to regulate the humidity or what would make a good make-shift hide. Play on her maternal instincts. The rest will come about naturally...

This is a tactic my youngest son did with me because he wanted a ball python. Now we have 26 snakes all together (and a lizard) and take in rescues all the time.

Good luck!
K

 

[bohannbj]

My Mom was always big on the education part and my Dad thought it was cool as long as I took care of it. I would caution you against trying to trick or guilt your mother. You're going to discover more and more that being good friends with your mother is the best. It really pays off when it comes to college and dating. As goofy as it sounds, my Mom was instrumental in my ability to "woo" my wife. I would suggest asking her to sit down with you and have an adult conversation about why you really want a snake.
Brent

 

[mrcsk8ter44445]

Let me know if you find someone selling vipers at this time of the year. I have been looking and looking but cant find anyone with Sexables.

Heyy same here I've been looking for a trio. Try jmgreptile.com they always have some I'd just rather not spend 175 on a shipped trio when I could save some bucks getting some at a show(the tough part is ever seeing them there) hopefully NARBC Arlington will have some