Convincing my dad...?

These are all amazing answers! there is a reptile show in august that I could always get the family to go to again. I have already written a research paper on them. I could have him read that, make a simpler list of the pros and cons, take him to an expo or take him to the petstore where I could hold one and have him touch it so he can see how nice they are.

His only two reasons were that he didn't want dead mice and we had too many pets.
Not too terribly awful. He doesn't hate snakes and I often catch them and keep them for a day to watch them and then let them go.
You're all awesome when it comes to advice!:snake::snake:

I had the same problem with my dad!!! He just went on and on about how we already have tried every pet out there, and how he didn't think I was responsible enough. My mom didn't even care. So I put everything I've been telling him into a letter, put it on his desk before school one morning, then 5 days later, I had a snake. Good luck! :snake:

I should do that.... I feel better communicating through written/typed words...
He'd have 5 months to think about it.
I must say, this forum has very friendly people. All so helpful and nice!
I don't think he thinks I'm not responsible enough, just that we don't have room.
I think writing a letter is a good idea. So I'll also have to explain how they don't take up much room, especially since I've chosen to keep the bp in a plastic tub until it's fullgrown. Then I'll probably put it in a 40 gal glass cage.

Are there any reptile shows in your area? Tell your dad you want to spend some time with him, and you want him to go with you to this herp show. DO NOT ask him to buy you ANYTHING at the show! In fact, you pay for your ticket and his - he gets to go on your dime! Then, just walk around looking and talking. Just seeing what's out there and learning, and spending the time together. See where it goes - he may be a little more receptive after going to a show. Good luck!

tell your dad the goof thing with bp is that if you did go somewhere the not having someone to take care of it would be out of the question because they are very low mantinence you can be gone 2 weeks and they would be fine. i would still want to feed it every week but if you needed to be somewhere fill up the water dish feed them befor you go and your parents dont have to worrie about it. ball pythons are the sweetest pets. you honestly can trust them more than any other snake out there. they love attention and your dad would sucker into the snake idea if he held one.

Snakes are so easy to care for, but unfortunately, they're not the type of pet that some people want in their house. It sounds like you know the responsibilities of owning a snake, but you just have to convince your dad. And from what you said, it doesn't sound like he is afraid of snakes so that's a good thing. Maybe he's afraid HE would be the one taking care of it? Even though you know that's not true, I can understand where he is coming from (being a parent myself). Try explaining to him that YOU will take full responsibility for this animal's well being and that he would never have to do anything. As far as having mice in the freezer, you could do what someone else suggested about buying a freezer for snake food and fishing bait. Or if your parents are cool about it, do what I do, which is designate one place in the freezer for snake food. The mice are in individual ziploc bags and then in a brown paper bag with "Snake Food" written on it. I only keep about 1-2 months supply in the freezer at a time and they do not smell. The letter is also a great idea. Write down your reasons for wanting a pet snake. Explain how YOU will care for it and that you are prepared to have it for 30+ years. I always wanted a pet snake growing up, but my parents said no. I am now 35 years old (with 5 kids of my own) and my parents STILL think I shouldn't have pet snakes, so some people won't give in. But, I think if you try hard enough, you can get your dad to listen. Good luck and let us know what happens!

I think he knows he won't be taking care of it at all. I'll still explain that, and add in the note about them being fine with no care for up to two weeks.
There are a lot of great things in this thread I can put in the letter!
Thanks for all your help! More replies are very welcome. All this encouragment is very nice. :3

Another thing I would try is to take your dad to a local pet shop and show him a ball python. I think if he likes snakes he will really like holding a ball python in the flesh. They really are beautiful snakes, and I now my family has warmed up to them since actually having the chance to hold mine.

Like you, my mom hates the idea of feeding rats (ball pythons actually eat rats, not mice) but I just keep them in a cardboard box that is labeled. I used the argument that frozen chicken breasts are not really all that much different, and that seemed to work. She still kind of gets freaked out by the rats but actually watched my snakes eat for the first time a month or so back. She actually thought it was amazing :). Nonetheless, I would respect your parents wishes if you can't convince them to change thier minds. If your dad still thinks you have too many pets, you could always offer to feed your pet rat to your snake to cut down on the pet population (haha, sorry couldnt resist :)).

Good luck

XD Everyone jokes about me feeding Suki to the snake if I got one. XD
I don't even know if she'll still be alive when I get a snake. Rats don't always live that long after their cagemate passes away.
I should take him to the petstore at some point(after he reads my letter) and I can hold him and have him hold it.
Again, it's just the fact of showing dad that 1) Frozen rats are less smelly than live rats, and 2) That a snake won't take up too much room.

After just recently getting my first snake after years of trying, I found that there are two ways of getting your parents to let you get a snake they don't want you to get.

Way one is to get them interested in snakes. Just drop little hints constantly, tell facts, show videos without even mentioning getting one. Do this for a while and try to get him involved and interested in snakes.

Way to is to completely remove them from the snake. And i don't mean to go over their heads and just buy one, but i mean to make them never even have to see the snake. Buy EVERYTHING yourself with your own money, keep EVERYTHING in your own room/space, Do ALL the care taking and maintenance.

hope this helps and good luck.