Parental approval?

This is for the people living at home under their parents rule like me.

How do you go about convincing your parents to let you get a snake, paticularly if they don't like snakes.

See, I got a ball python 2 months ago. But I have been itching to get one more snake and that it, and today I found the snake. THis beautiful little albino stripe cali king snake. I have every penny for him and a spare tank, all I need is my moms approval.

This is so frustrating. :mad:

Better yet how can I get her to be more ok with my current snake, in hopes she would allow just one more.

You got one, this makes it easyer to get 2.

I started out only being aloud to have one, that changed to 2 FAST, then 3, and this summer I am getting 4-6 more snakes. All parental approved. I might get even more.:carrot: Just work with her, be patient, offer to pay for EVERYTHING. It will all pay off.:D

I know I will have every dim by next thursday when I get my paycheck. I got a job just so I can buy anotehr snake :D

At least my dad likes snakes. Its just my mom who only dislikes them "because".

is she afraid of them?

I wouldn't say afraid. She will look at my current bp and touch him seldomly. SHe just keeps saying "we don't need another one" and "I don't like them, just because."

It's very aggravating. It would be staying in my bedroom too.

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Originally Posted by Phanpy

I wouldn't say afraid. She will look at my current bp and touch him seldomly. SHe just keeps saying "we don't need another one" and "I don't like them, just because."

It's very aggravating. It would be staying in my bedroom too.

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My mom said the exact same thing to me before I bought my male pastel. But I guess it's a bit different for me, because I don't live at home during school, just the summer (and this will be the last summer that I'm living at home hopefully). If you are anything like me, you're going to go ahead and buy the snake no matter what anyone else tells you. Just be prepaired for you mother freaking out, and scope out a place to keep him until you are able to move out on your own. For me, I told my dad about the snake, and if my mom was going to make me get rid of him, then I was going to keep my 2nd BP with my dad (he's always wanted a snake too, so that didn't help much). If you do this, make sure that the other person is 100% clear that this is only a temporary issue, which means that you're also going to still have to go and feed/clean the snake. If you do this, you also need to consider that you're going to be inconviencing the person/family who's taking in your pet to. I'm not sure how old you are, but if you still have a few years before you move out, then I would hold off on buying another snake against any of your parents wishes.
Anywho, I'm going to get off of my soapbox now..

In my opinion, if you are living under their roof, and they say no.. then you shouldn't go get another snake.
Convince them by proving you know everything about it's care(show them "neat stuff you found about how to heat the enclosure", and how you have the bills for them figured out). Make sure to keep the currant snake's cage PRISTINE. Offer to do something extra at the house in order to be able to keep a 2nd snake. Do you wash the dishes? The laundry? Clean the fridge? Something? I know doing a couple extra chores would go a long ways to convincing a lot of parents.
If nothing else, you can always wait until you move out on your own. Also... have you thought out what happens when you go off to college? Who will keep them then? Sneaking them into a no-pets dorm is not a solution. Show your future planning.
All sorts of ways to show you are dedicated to them. But end result will be it's their house, and if they say no, then you shouldn't go get antoher one.
Hope this helps.

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Originally Posted by Phanpy

I wouldn't say afraid. She will look at my current bp and touch him seldomly. SHe just keeps saying "we don't need another one" and "I don't like them, just because."

It's very aggravating. It would be staying in my bedroom too.

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Its there house, there rules. Don't argue about it, whatever you do. Don't sneak one past. Be PATIENT. Its a vurtue!

It sounds like your parents are similar to mine--I do agree with what people have already said. Don't push it too much, otherwise they'll get irritated with you and you'll loose all chance of being allowed to get the snake you want. Be persistant about talking to them about it, but not every day, several times a day--maybe once or twice a week casually mention it, or take them to see the animal in question and if possible have them hold it and touch it to reassure them that it is a friendly and non-aggressive animal. You're not only endearing the animal to your parents, you're endearing yourself to them--remember that, and remember that there will always be another snake! You can always get another one, if they don't let you get the one you have your eye on now. Maybe a year or two from now you'll see one that you know is The One, and by then your parents will have relaxed a bit on the idea of having another snake. Remember that this isn't something your parents will have grown up with, and they don't think of it as normal--give it some time for 'having more than one snake' or even just having one snake, to feel like a normal idea for them.

Since you've only had your ball python for two months, it's probably a better idea to let them get used to having one snake in the house, let alone two! It's really a learning process. My dad, when I first got my ball, said that if it touched him, he'd kill it. Now, however, he's used to her enough that while he still won't touch her, he does come into my room to watch her move around her tank, and asks about her whenever he sees me holding her. It's just getting them used to having a new animal around, since it's something they've probably never experienced before. While you're extremely excited and enthusiastic about it, remember that they are not, and will take a while to warm up to the idea.

It's taken me four years from the time I got my first to convince my parents to let me get a second one! It just takes time and patience!

I know I know, I wouldn't sneak the snake in the house however tempting it sounds. Unfortunatly I am only 16 so i still have a few years here. As for college I am not sure at all at the moment, thats why I opted for a smaller snake rather then the red tail boa I have been dreaming about.

I may just wait and see if I can go to the NC reptile expo in september and get an albino king snake there. This may give me enough time to convince her.

ANd I understand and respect it is her house and her rules, but I just want to find any way to get just this snake. :D

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Originally Posted by Phanpy

This is for the people living at home under their parents rule like me.

How do you go about convincing your parents to let you get a snake, paticularly if they don't like snakes.

See, I got a ball python 2 months ago. But I have been itching to get one more snake and that it, and today I found the snake. THis beautiful little albino stripe cali king snake. I have every penny for him and a spare tank, all I need is my moms approval.

This is so frustrating. :mad:

Better yet how can I get her to be more ok with my current snake, in hopes she would allow just one more.

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Try getting a job if your state allows it. It worked for me ;). That is unless you work for some stupid store that shuts down a month after :(

So yeah, I'm not even thinking about getting into morphs or whatever until I get a new job. I don't know if I would feel comfortable taking a snake to the vet unless I'm using my own money. I have a rainy day fund just incase a snake over here needs to be taken to the vet.

Hah, I just got a job too.
Its hard work but its worth the paycheck.

Ok. Now just show her you can be responsible enough to take care of another one. Sit and ask her if she would let you get a new one if you showed her you are responsible enough to take care of it.

Good luck ;)

As far as my mom knows, I still only have my small Royal snake, and my small Red-Tail Snake. I try not to use the words Python or Boa too often, but she's oblivious anyway. My dad doesn't care, as long as I care for them. But obviously your mom is not like mine, good luck.

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Originally Posted by Phanpy

I may just wait and see if I can go to the NC reptile expo in september and get an albino king snake there. This may give me enough time to convince her.

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My daughter, Lindsey, was the one in our family that wanted a snake. I said no way. It wasn't that I disliked snakes or was afraid of them, they just were't warm and furry so I didn't think of them as pets.

Lindsey knows me well though. Several years ago she asked me to go to a reptile show with her so we could just look at the cool and different animals. The rest, as they say, is history.

So, invite your mom to go with you to the NC reptile show. You might not get a snake that day, but it may cause her to rethink her position. I know I did. I fell in love with ball pythons. Good luck!

That sounds like a wonderful plan!
Casue I would love to look. Now just have to get ehr to drive me 3 hours to look at snakes in september :D

LOL I personally did what everyone here is saying not to do. My mom was saying no (not very convincingly), i think her biggest reason was that she didnt think I would take care of it. I have definately proved her wrong. I am planning on going and picking up a boa at the Jax expo next weekend, ive already got his tub setup for him. I cant wait to go pick him out. Would it really be a good idea to take my mom to this? I would think it would just scare her more with all of the big snakes that will probably be there like burmese, reticulated, and anacondas. Doesnt sound like a great idea to me. One of the things I have told her (even if it doesnt hold to be true) is that I will be moved out by the time my snakes reach adult sizes. BTW I also have 2 jobs and im paying for everything that goes into my snakes.

My mom hated snakes, but she knew I loved them and bought me a corn for my 7th bday.

Don't do what I did and just start buying snakes and not tell her. It worked for me, even when she found out, but it's just not a good idea. Imagine finding out your 17 year old son has been keeping a 7 foot rtb for the summer and you're scared of snakes. Interesting night for sure.

Oh, btw, he wasn't well hidden at all. Perfect sized cage, etc. I just had a lot of privacy and a key locked door.

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Originally Posted by hardball

Would it really be a good idea to take my mom to this? I would think it would just scare her more with all of the big snakes that will probably be there like burmese, reticulated, and anacondas. Doesnt sound like a great idea to me.

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It so depends on the Mom. I was amazed at the different types and colors of snakes. I did decide at that first show that the giants were not for me, but I still admired their size. I haven't yet bought some of the snakes that I admired the most (after ball pythons of course) - green tree boas and bloods. One of these days though. I so drool whenever I see Kara's avatar of her blood.
:tongue2:

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Originally Posted by hardball

BTW I also have 2 jobs and im paying for everything that goes into my snakes.

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Very smart!

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Originally Posted by The_Godfather

Don't do what I did and just start buying snakes and not tell her. It worked for me, even when she found out, but it's just not a good idea. Imagine finding out your 17 year old son has been keeping a 7 foot rtb for the summer and you're scared of snakes. Interesting night for sure.

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Im not going to hide it, I would just tell her after I bought it. Im sure I could hide it if I wanted to though.

Its weird, she is promoting me switching my major to biology yet she doesnt want me to have any animals in the house to keep the interest. :rolleye2:

haha, I got my first snake my sneaking into the house when my parents were asleep, and me and my buddy set the tank up, mom didn't know for 2 days, tank was in plain view, she is terrified of em, so asking was a waste of time. Once I had it she was "ok" with it, didn't like it though, she warmed up to it though. The 2nd snake I got when her and my dad were on a cruise :D . Good thing my parents are beyound cool huh? :8:

Might not work for you, but worked out beautifully for me. :D

I might just have to give it a try in September when that reptile show comes around.
Hopefully they will grow a bit of coolness. :banana:

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Originally Posted by sw204me

haha, I got my first snake my sneaking into the house when my parents were asleep, and me and my buddy set the tank up, mom didn't know for 2 days, tank was in plain view, she is terrified of em, so asking was a waste of time. Once I had it she was "ok" with it, didn't like it though, she warmed up to it though. The 2nd snake I got when her and my dad were on a cruise :D . Good thing my parents are beyound cool huh? :8:

Might not work for you, but worked out beautifully for me. :D

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Sounds like my deal, she hasnt given me any grief since having it in the house and she checks on him sometimes. She loved the snake skin from his first shed. I have been able to do some convincing with my knowledge on all the different snake species though, giving reasons why I dont want certain ones that are more dangerous and big. Stressing that I dont want something that I wouldnt buy something I was worried about biting me everytime I go into his cage or too big. Giving her background on why I want a particular one as well, what appeals to me.

I talk about snake so much and my plans on breeding and what I want to breed, etc etc, my parents are actually learning what a Pastel is, or a spider, Albino, Bumble bee (my dads favorite). But my mom still refuses to touch either one of them, and still freaks out if I go anywhere near her with them, to the point where she starts to cry. So I just keep them away from her and all is good. She does like to see them, as long as they are behind glass. :8:

Ahh I remember the days when my mom said "absolutely no snakes in this house". But my dad wanted me to get one so I started with a pink snow corn snake. "Fine, he's cute, let me hold him" (she loves him now). Then it was "ok well that's it, no more!" Now I have seven snakes. Then it was "the snakes are ok but definitely no spiders!" I only have one tarantula :P I never snuck things into the house, but she didn't always completely give me permission ahead of time, though my dad did. I guess since he was on my side she figured it was pointless to fight.

My mom is now very thankful that I'm interesting in reptiles and not, say, hamsters or mice or something "cute and furry" like that, because they stink, literally! She loves how the reptiles don't smell, dont make noise, only eat and crap once per week... point out to your parents how much better they are than other demanding smelly animals. She likes how I have the tanks nicely decorated and they're on display right in the living room around the couch where we always sit so we can all watch them. The more she learns, the more she likes them.

And THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO ABOUT COLLEGE.

Luckily my dad loves my snakes and doesnt mind buying the various sized frozen rodents and feeding them every week... because I have to leave all seven of them at home (I go to college in Canada but my home is in the US so it makes things a bit more complicated than I had forseen). Most dorms have a 'no pets' policy, and its not a good idea to sneak in a snake, because if someone freaks out and reports it, you're screwed. And good luck finding an apartment your first year. If your parents will take care of it, great, but make sure you consider the future and dont end up suddenly having to dump the snake on unwilling parents.

I say stick with the ball python you've got until you're on your own or you're sure you have a place to live at college where you can keep snakes.

well I go to college locally (live about 5 min from campus where I am now and the university im transferring to is across the street from that campus practically) so I dont have to worry about leaving and living on campus stuff. When I move out it will be to an apartment.

i love having parents that love all animals... go self!... if i had tht much money ui would have more snakeys

Hm.. put yourself in their shoes :) Let's say your kid wants to big something into the house that you dislike.. in my case, a good example would be a yappy, ankle-biting dog. If the kid snuck it in, or got bold and said that they were getting it no matter what, I'd say Nope, no way. If the kid informed me about the creature he wanted.. if he offered to do (and keep doing!) more chores around the house.. I would give him a chance.
Fun avatar by the way! Weird, great movie..

heh :) mean parent u are :)
you should not be scared of any animal its all nature, and if it bites you it has a valid reson same reson that horses kick or that cats like to rip my arm off for fun.... no wait ill shut up :P

So. While out shopping me and my dad found this beautiful Columbian boa at a small petshop, adn weboth love it. It's captive bred and comes with vet records adn everything. So Now I got dad on my team.

I have taken the advice of stepping up on chores and such and it's going ok now. Also asling for her help such as 'is this a good deal for a new tank?'. We're going to go find one in a few weeks.

ANd perhaps the biggest heper was getting her to handle my bp. :D and see they aren't slimey and evil.

SHe hasn't said yes yet but I think soon she will.

Just keep sucking up to your mom and you'll have an awesome boa soon! :gj: :D