cover the back and sides with dark paper on the outside. get them smaller and tighter fitting hides. Plastic bowls with a door cut in them are great. Or, reptilebasics.com has some that work great for BPs if you dont want to make them yourself.

what are you using to measure the temps in their enclosures with? if its not a Digital thermometer, then you NEED to get one. the dial ones and the stick ones are not appropriate for reptile use at all. What are the temps at ?

he needs to not be handled at all until hes eating. i know its hard, but explain to your step mom that this isnt about HER, its about the ANIMAL. once hes eating regularly he can be handled again and enjoyed as a pet but for now, either dont handle him at all or handle the other snake that is feeding regularly.