Family Matters...

Better yet! That should be the photo on your X-Mas cards, (if you do them) ! lol Family shot,..... and a snake in everyone's hand! :P


Seriouslly, I haft to say that I'm fortunate in that area.... My mom and dad are both animal lovers (seperated when I was 12)... My mother took a 12 ft. Retic I had (RESCUED) to her Law office when I was 16 cause he needed shots and I couldn't take him to school....Diff. story, Yea. At the same time, when my father and "other-mother" came to visit when my husband and I had moved, he said... "You still have snakes don't you"? And I said "Yea.. thats why you don't have a choice on a guest bedroom"!!! He has a SERIOUS snake fobia.... so he just stayed away from that room... and played with all the other critters! (LOVED the Rats)! :P As for our friends... This is how I send invites... BlaBlaBla.. Time, reason, menue, BYOB, and.... "We have Pets, alot of them. If you don't like animals, don't come to our house"!!
You can tell them that concidering BP are great family pets, and not a species that are going to reach a "dangerous" size, that it hurts your feelings that they would question your parenting skills... or something like that??? I don't know girl.... But don't give up such an awsome hobby because not everyone agrees with your intrests! I can't Imagine who I'd be today if I wasn't raised with a house full of critters... (of course the snakes came after my dad/mom split)... I think your kiddo is very lucky!:D

Thank you everyone for such kind words and support in this situation. It's hard being between this rock and a hard place ya know? I've ALWAYS been an animal lover of any kind, I dont think there is one livng thing that I hate, I might not love some of them but I would never say "kill them all and get rid of them" okay maybe mosquito's lol. But even things that I am affraid of I have respect for.
I am hoping in my life like any parent, to raise my children better then I was and to be a better parent then mine were. I think I'm on the right track, but its hard when all you ever want is for your family to like what you do and think your a good person. I know by now that in the 23 years I've been alive my parents have never been proud of anything that I have done or thought it was good enough....but still as a daughter you hope one day they will. I believe I'll be 60 years old and saying "I wish they would just be proud of me." Do I know in my mind this will never happen? Yes of coarse...I'm not dumb, but its human nature to want these basic needs met.

So who knows, maybe once Raigen is grown and becomes something to respect and be proud of they will figure out I didnt do such a bad job. I think I'm a good parent, I think I might even be better then alot of soccer moms because I bring varity to our family and toher childhood. We dont really dissagree with anything in life as long as your happy then who cares right? Have tattoos, be a lesbian, raise snakes and worship satan.....as long as your happy. If only I could take my own words to heart right?

It's so sad when family doesn't understand. I've benn very lucky that my family has always been very comfortable with all types of animals. When I would bring animals home mom & dad would make certain that I found out how to care for the pet. I am spending 3 days this week to get my kids set up in comfortable tubs because people viewing our house during previous open houses have been in 1 case in particular very put off by seeing the snakes. :(

Most family members will come around in time. Others that don't feel comfortable are alright as long as they stay in their tanks.
Be patient with your family and you may actually bring future herpers to the fold!!!:D
Good luck with future breeding plans & the family.:)

This is a post I posted about P.E.T.A but it apply to any one that touts our hobby. When reading this I just substitute PETA for family or friends.

Hope this helps. Trust me I know where your comming from.

Quote:

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Lord Grant me the strenght to change the things I can. And the Wisdom to except the things I can't.


It is our charge as reptile keepers and as animal lovers to spread our message. And spread it in a way that shows our point, with out finger pointing. We as learned people can present our message in such a way that some will see the truth some will not. We have to except that.

Getting upset at Family is not the answer. Be knowledgable enough in our hobby to defend our lifestyle, useing the facts.

And when they just don't want to see our side or can't understand it. Have the control and wisdom to simply except that that person probaly will never except our life style. Take comfort in the fact that at least once for sure they were told the absolute truth, by you, and they made their own choices which to take.

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Our hobby is made al the more enjoyable by the exceptance of the ones we love. But should not be second guessed by it practishionars (sp) when they don't

One day I hope you move past needing acceptance and approval from anyone else. My immediate family never approved of anything I did, nothing was good enough, I worked my tuckus off for them and never got the slightest gratitude. I got straight As honor roll 4 years in a row, and they shrugged.
When I suddenly turned that all-important corner and said "I don't care about your opinion, it's my life. If you don't like it, then go away. I don't want your opinion, nor do I need your approval." That's when I felt the most giant amount of relief. I deserve to live my life, because its mine. Not theirs. Mine.
I hope you can eventually get them to come to terms with it, but never alter yourself for someone else's ideals.
Wolfy

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

This is a post I posted about P.E.T.A but it apply to any one that touts our hobby. When reading this I just substitute PETA for family or friends.

Hope this helps. Trust me I know where your comming from.



Our hobby is made al the more enjoyable by the exceptance of the ones we love. But should not be second guessed by it practishionars (sp) when they don't

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This is why I personally love PETA.

Thank you again EVERYONE for your helpful words. I've adopted you all as my real family :sunny:

If you spend your life trying to make everyone else happy you will never be happy yourself. It's not fair and very hard to accept. I know from personal experience.
Good luck.

-Hannah

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Originally Posted by TheAudOne

This is why I personally love PETA.

Thank you again EVERYONE for your helpful words. I've adopted you all as my real family :sunny:

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I am glad you feel like family here. However please don't misunderstand my post the original was not a PETA promotional. I want highjack this thread to rehash the whole thing but my post was in defence of comments PETA made toward a mentor of sorts of many of us here.

I suport you 100% in your quest to help your family see your side and anything we can do to help let us know PLEASE!

Good luck. :sunny: :rockon:

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Originally Posted by TheAudOne

This is why I personally love PETA.

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Because they are against everything we are for?

:confuzd:

I look at it this way. I know some stuff about snakes, and family members are misinformed about my hobby. All my other family members have a hobby I am misinformed about, too. Everyone is ignorant of something. Sometimes its not on purpose, but everyone is. And all you can do is try your best to educate them.

:)

In addition to everything listed above, you may add that snakes:

-don't chew the furniture
-don't bark or complain
-don't need to be walked rain, shine, or snow
-don't pee on the carpet
-don't leave hair on you shirt or lap
-don't lick, but scare intruders
-don't take up a lot of room
- etc.
;)