My friend wouldn't touch any of mine for probably three months after I got them. The trick I think is to just be patient and let her come to the snake Have it out some times, away from her, while your watching a movie or something, and have your son hold the snakes a lot too, and don't press her into holding them each time the snakes are out. Ask her if she would feel more comfortable with gloves on, and see if she would hold them then. Talking about them and why they make good pets is a great idea. Eventually, my friend just reached over and started petting them, and now she has to have one with her at all times, lol.