My Kids best friend and snakes

[Diamond Serpents]

So my oldest made his first best friend over the summer who lives two houses up. Both are the same age and both start kindergarten together this year.

Now the story....my son is a reptile fanatic and his friend came over like usual but this time my two sons decided they was going to open the door to the reptile room and go show him the snakes. I instantly shut the door and said no then I called for my son 5 minutes later to talk to him privately.

I said to him, not all parents like snakes, lizards and reptile like we do. He asked why not and I really didn't have a answer for him so I told him to go back to playing.

The real reason why is that I know the kids Dad is snooty and would probably flip balls (no pun) if he found out I have a large collection of pythons.

Also from what's been going on in the news. He would then not feel safe with his kid at my house. There would be no reasoning with him either I just know that's what type of person/man he is. It would end up destroying my kids first friendship. Me and my wife both agree on this and both think its sad.

I'm just wondering if any one else has ran into a similar situation where they had to keep there snakes/reptiles a hush hush

[Forrester86]

That stinks. I don't personally have kids so can't really say much. Sucks the friends father is like that. I think a little education goes a long way to proving the snakes are animals not monsters. The stuff going on in the news is due to poor ownership from the sounds of it.

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[SinCityBPs]

How about your own brother. Mine recently said he wasn't very comfortable with his kids coming to my house to play with their cousins, because of my python collection and all that has been in the news lately. Keep in mind, that his kids have been here several times, they don't go anywhere near my snake room, and most importantly... I keep only Ball Pythons. Well I have one Pretty large boa, but still. Ignorance.

[Pyrate81]

Sorry you're in that situation.

Been in my apartment for 2 years and have been extremely quiet about my snakes until the last couple months. I've gone with the frame of mind where I am no longer afraid of being a snake owner which has worked out so far. Don't think any of my neighbors knew I even had snakes until then. A couple of them are deathly afraid and I keep a respectful level of conversation with them and don't bring it up nor do I shove it in their faces.

Your situation is different though with your neighbor and son. Hope things work out for you. I think on some level most of us can feel for your situation.

[DooLittle]

We converted my daughter's bff, from being scared of snakes to loving them. Her parents don't mind at all. However, I think open communication between parents is a key. I wouldn't want to find out one of my daughters friends parents were hiding something from me. I like to know the people and whats going on, before my daughter stays there. We have in the past had a friend that wasnt allowed to come over because we own guns, but none that I'm aware of due to the snakes. And they all know we have them, we take them to school each year. Personally, I would tell the friends parents. The kid is probably going to go home and do it for you.

Its great when your kids have friends, its even better when you like or get along with their parents.

[Diamond Serpents]

How about your own brother. Mine recently said he wasn't very comfortable with his kids coming to my house to play with their cousins, because of my python collection and all that has been in the news lately. Keep in mind, that his kids have been here several times, they don't go anywhere near my snake room, and most importantly... I keep only Ball Pythons. Well I have one Pretty large boa, but still. Ignorance.

It does stink and I'm the same as you Sin. I only have BPs and I plan on getting a boa sometime before the year is over. Anyhow my kids no better not to go in the reptile room and open a tub unless they're with me.

It may sound weird but I taught them to fear snakes/reptiles yet if you respect them they are amazing pets. Pretty much I just tell them to respect all living things and if you don't there is always a consequence. It is sickening that the new has this all hyped up and I have to be all hush about my stuff.

I know for a fact that my sons friend would be amazed if I showed him all the reptiles we have.

[MootWorm]

I don't have kids, so I've never had to deal with this sort of thing, but I do agree that having open communication with the father/parents is the best bet. Maybe you can invite them over for dinner and discuss? Or better yet, have a 'reptile day' at school with your calmest ones. I'm not sure if that would be feasible, but it can go a long way to get parents comfortable and kids excited about herps. Good luck, and I hope everything works out for you and yours!

[Crazymonkee]

I feel your pain only sadly enough one of my daughters friends parents wouldn't let her come to our house because we had 2 German Shepherds... it truly is a sad world sometimes

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[Diamond Serpents]

We converted my daughter's bff, from being scared of snakes to loving them. Her parents don't mind at all. However, I think open communication between parents is a key. I wouldn't want to find out one of my daughters friends parents were hiding something from me. I like to know the people and whats going on, before my daughter stays there. We have in the past had a friend that wasnt allowed to come over because we own guns, but none that I'm aware of due to the snakes. And they all know we have them, we take them to school each year. Personally, I would tell the friends parents. The kid is probably going to go home and do it for you.

Its great when your kids have friends, its even better when you like or get along with their parents.

You hit everything here on the head Doolittle and I agree with all of it. I'm 25, 26 in September and his Dad is in his early 40s. it just seems like one of those guys that thinks I'm a dumb young parent, maybe I'll just talk to him like you said. I just don't want to destroy my sons first friendship thats why Im keeping it a secret. So it's going to still be 50/50 for me saying something or not.

I much rather him just go home and say hey they have these really cool snakes. I just don't want to be the one who destroys his first buddy. If anything I might just wait till they know each other for along time. Stupid news only reporting bad and incorrect stuff.

Like my grandfather told me, if the news reported nothing but sunshine and happy stuff no one would watch it.

[Diamond Serpents]

I don't have kids, so I've never had to deal with this sort of thing, but I do agree that having open communication with the father/parents is the best bet. Maybe you can invite them over for dinner and discuss? Or better yet, have a 'reptile day' at school with your calmest ones. I'm not sure if that would be feasible, but it can go a long way to get parents comfortable and kids excited about herps. Good luck, and I hope everything works out for you and yours!

I was thinking the same thing with brining the reptiles to school for a show n tell type of deal. Maybe even have my wife make some cool goody bags with reptile candies and lil snake toys to pass out.