Roger that, Slitherin! I'm 28 and didn't get my first reptile until I was 27. No, I didn't live at home that long, I just didn't get into it until then, lol!

Good luck to you, Daserh! Seems like everyone's hit on the one big thing with all of this, that being responsibility. Read as much as you can and research it like none other to not only prepare yourself but to demonstrate that you're responsible enough.

If it's something you're passionate about, show that to your mom and try to include her in it as far as the educating process. If all else fails, pet ownership has been shown to have positive health benefits such as stress reduction and things of that nature. Pretty sure the study cited dogs and cats, but anyway...! Best of luck and I hope it works out for you.