Contradictory advice / new owner dilemmas

[WarpQ]

I'm a happy first-time new co-owner of a beutiful Vanilla male. I purchased tank, the necessary accessories and the snake at a reptile expo four days ago. Always had a soft spot for our slithering little friends, so when my daughter of 9 fell in love with this little guy, I couldn't refuse her.
Since then I've spent a lot of time reading all the advice I could on this and other fora, to enable me (and her) to give our new family member the best care. So I'm aware of some of the mistakes I've already made (especially: not leaving him alone on the first day, attempting to feed him on the second day - which he incidentally refused), but would like to avoid doing more.
On the evening of the second day, he went into his hide, and he has stayed there for 2-3 days now, which obviously is what he needs at the moment.


So, to the point ... I have read some pieces of advice that put me into a few dilemmas, and any help prioritizing will be much appreciated:

1. "Don't handle your snake until it has eaten 2-3 times" vs. "always feed your snake in a separate feeding box" ???

2. "Allow your snake to settle in for 1-2 weeks without disturbance" vs. "Make sure temperatures and humidity is correct". The latter will require me to install a hygrometer and more thermometers than the one I already have inside the cage - especially one closer to his currently preferred hiding place, which of course will disturb him. Which is the more important: ensuring correct climate or no disturbance for 1-2 weeks?

3. "Your snake must have at least two hides in either side of the tank. They should make a snug fit so the snake touches the walls and the top" vs. (same as above: don't disturb him) ... the hide I bought him is fairly big (~20cm=8inch diameter) and while he is completely hidden in it, it does not fit the ideal description. It is placed half-way over the heating mat, so I suppose it has a warmer and a cooler side, but ideally he should have two smaller hides, I realize. So again, which is the more important: ideal hides or leaving him alone for now?


Thanks in advance.