Need help convincing parents! Any ideas.

[Theartisticgemini]

Well after hours and hours of research i think its finally time to get my first ball python

The problem is both my parents refuse to let me keep a snake. Its not a responsibility issue because i already have 2 leopard geckos and a water dragon that i care for myself.

Well how did some of you guys convince your parents to let you keep snakes??

Or any ideas on how to show how beautiful these animals actually are??

Thanks alot!! anyone who reply"s and i also hope i posted this in the right section.

[musicalKeyes]

I'd bring them to see an adult, and see how really small and friendly they are. My parents made me wait to get a snake, and although my mom just tolerated them at first, she loves my BPs just as much as a do, and goes as far as calling them "cute." Talk about them a lot; show your parents that you've done the research, and you know exactly what they need. Tell them why you want one, not just because "they're cool," and be logical. Don't get angry or upset when they say no, it'll just make them want to say no more. But bringing them to see an adult is definitely a good idea. Good luck!

[Theartisticgemini]

Will do ill take them to the pet store this weekend. But what if something goes wrong and lets say the ball python at the pet store is well "Agressive" that would mess everything up for sure.

And yea i wrote my parents a 3 page essay saying while ball pythons make great pets.

[Evilme5229]

What is your parents in disagreement about?

[Theartisticgemini]

LOL...i guess you could say its fear. Maybe another one would be the feeding of "Rodents"

[musicalKeyes]

Maybe go to the pet store before you bring them and check it out, that way if it's aggressive or anything they won't be there for you to find out. Or maybe there's a breeder nearby that's willing to help out? They'd know which animals were the friendliest, and their animals are most likely a lot healthier than the pet store's.

[Theartisticgemini]

Any one on here know of any breeders close to Queens NY??

[het.pied]

5 ball pyhtons at one point and probably 5 leapard gekoes in sight. under the bed was another two breeding colonies of probably 20 leapord gekoes! you can always keep it in a tub under the bed! my spelling blows today.

[het.pied]

I'd bring them to see an adult, and see how really small and friendly they are. My parents made me wait to get a snake, and although my mom just tolerated them at first, she loves my BPs just as much as a do, and goes as far as calling them "cute." Talk about them a lot; show your parents that you've done the research, and you know exactly what they need. Tell them why you want one, not just because "they're cool," and be logical. Don't get angry or upset when they say no, it'll just make them want to say no more. But bringing them to see an adult is definitely a good idea. Good luck!

yeah the more you annoy them about it the more they'll give in! and my moms the same way. she wanted me to only have one in her houshold. then i brought more and more! and she names them all herself now. not that i go by those names....

[kc261]

It really depends on your parents, and what their issues are with the idea of you having a snake. Some parents will give in if you bother them about it long enough, while others will react very negatively to the nagging and that would seal the deal that you'll never be allowed to have one under their roof. You know your parents, so you'll have to consider the advice you are given, and what will work with them.

My advice would to be ask them to set a time when you can have a family meeting about it. This allows them to pick a time when it is good for them to talk, and also gives them time to think about it when they aren't under the immediate pressure of you standing there asking for a snake.

When the time for the meeting comes, resist the urge to make a sales pitch. You've already done that in the 3 page essay you say you wrote. Instead, use the time to listen to them. Write down a list of the reasons they have for not wanting you to have a snake. Some of them may be easily resolved, for example if your mother doesn't want live rodents in the house, you can get a snake that will eat f/t. But others may not be. If one of your parents is afraid of snakes, it may not make any difference to them that BPs are a harmless species. Be accepting of their reasons, and try to see their side of it.

Also bring up the idea of something you can do to earn the right to have a snake. Do not pressure them for an answer right away, but a few ideas would be to bring up your grades to a certain level, mow the lawn all summer, or other things like that.

In the meantime, continue to show your parents that this is not just a whim on your part. Let them see you reading books about snakes, surfing the forum, and other stuff like that. If you can pull it off without seeming like you are nagging, share with them interesting things you learn, so they'll see your enthusiasm, and perhaps get intrigued themselves.

You might be able to find an adult to enlist on your side. If there is a teacher at your school that keeps a snake in the classroom, make friends with that teacher, and offer to help take care of the snake. If your parents are willing to talk to him/her, it might help bring them around. If not, at least you get a snake you can interact with, even if it is not your own.

It is also important that you continue to show them that you remain interested in your leopard geckos and water dragon, and are very responsible in caring for them.