• Hello!

    Either you have not registered on this site yet, or you are registered but have not logged in. In either case, you will not be able to use the full functionality of this site until you have registered, and then logged in after your registration has been approved.

    Registration is FREE, so please register so you can participate instead of remaining a lurker....

    Please be certain that the location field is correctly filled out when you register. All registrations that appear to be bogus will be rejected. Which means that if your location field does NOT match the actual location of your registration IP address, then your registration will be rejected.

    Sorry about the strictness of this requirement, but it is necessary to block spammers and scammers at the door as much as possible.

Introducing the idea of a cornskane to the parents?

nailgun529

nailgun529

Art Student Owl
So, yes. Hello. I've wanted a corn snake for about a year and a half or so now, and just recently held a corn snake for the first time last week (hence my determinism). I've researched all that I've could internet-wise and looking to purchase some books soon.

The obstacle-- my parents. Particularly my mother, who is somewhat afraid(?) of snakes. This isn't so much about what I should convince them with (such as low-maintenance, easy to feed, minimal smell, "tame", the fact we already have an aquarium we no longer use, etc.)..but more along the lines of how do I introduce this concept to them without shoving it in their faces all at once, without having my mother screaming "you're crazy" in my face--happened with asking for nose piercing, bad experience.

Any advice be it convincing or introducing is greatly appreciated, thanks. :)
 
Well, other than just showing that you know what it takes to raise one and being responsible with your other responsibilities in life (it won't do if you're not getting your chores done and doing poorly in school - I wouldn't let my sons or daughters take on additional responsibility if they weren't ready for it), it may just take a heart-to-heart talk with them to convince them. If you've saved the money for the snake and all the equipment needed to care for it appropriately, that might help also. Maybe have someone who has a corn snake take one over and share it with the family??? I don't know... just shooting out some possible helps here... LOL.

I DO wish you luck and hope that you'll be sharing a success story with us sometime in the near future!!!
 
Hehehe! Let another <18 talk to our new friend. I just turned 16 today myself, woooh! Happy Birthday me!

Well what you my friend going on is pretty much the same thing I do. What I did is I straight up asked my mother (the afraid one) about how she would like the concept of me getting a snake. Well she was a bit ticked, but I did the classic why not? thing and slowly wore her to down to having her tell me shes afraid of them.
With that I began to explain the sizes that Corn snakes can reach, their temperaments, and finally ended with their small teeth.
What I would suggest you do is to ease into the conversation if your worried about "shoving it all into their faces at once".

Kinda like, "Hey Mom isn't the house a bit boring recently? .... You know I've been thinking the same thing, how bout we get a pet or something? ... I don't know? Cats are annoying, dogs stink, hamsters are lame, how bout something like a snake? ... *throw in corn snake facts* ... *kiss mom on cheek and express love* :)

Well I'm sure you get what I mean. GL with you persuading!
 
Be straight-forward. Maybe drag Mom into Petsmart or another snake-carrying pet store to handle a snake or two (even if she won't handle it, show her you can and that the snake isn't going to kill you!). The only thing you need to be careful about when you introduce this idea to her is to make it clear that this isn't some spontaneous thing that popped into your head. Make it clear that you want the snake because you enjoy them, and not just because they're "cool". Education is the key here. If you show your mom that you've already done extensive research and that you've thought it over (in other words, it didn't just pop in your head a few minutes before you asked), she'll be more open to the idea.

One important factor is just how afraid she IS. If it's just a rather "creeped out" fear, it shouldn't take much more than presenting facts and introducing her to some snakes--pet store snakes or, if you have a friend/relative with them, that person's snake(s). If your mom is absolutely, undeniably phobic... Good luck.

I got lucky when it came to convincing my mom. She found a lizard in the bathroom and, after I'd tried and failed to keep it for a few days, I released it back to the backyard and began researching various reptiles. She was reluctant, but, once she was sure I was doing ALL the research and that I wanted to do it RIGHT, she was willing... She even got me a Herpstat for my first snake instead of making me opt for something cheaper (her favorite philosophy is "If you're going to do it, do it right"). She has since warmed up to snakes and has decided she wants one of her own... She started out as one of those "creeped out" and nervous fears. My phobic cousin, on the other hand... I think he'd have a heart attack if his daughter (my age) asked for a snake! =)

Another thing that might help is to get your reading material before the snake. Kathy Love's and Don Soderberg's corn snake books are two good options. A willingness to sit around reading a book about corn snake care is another thing that will show your parents how truly interested you are in corn snakes.
 
I suggest having your parents flip through one of your books. Perhaps if they see that keeping snakes isn't THAT far out "there" they might start seeing the other side.

Maybe even highlight or mark some pages that describe how easygoing they are, how easy they are to take care of, etc.

Then, as suggested, take them to a store that will allow you to handle one with them standing a bit away. NEVER even think about approaching your mom when you are holding one - let her come to you. ASSURE her you would NEVER play around like that.

Hope this helps.
 
Recommend that they look at this website with you. They can see all the fun that we have as a community, all the info and support that is available. They may see that reptile ownership is fairly widespread, that we are regular people many of whom started out with snakes at about your age. Let them ask us questions. Maybe if they become interested, it will help.
 
dionythicus said:
Recommend that they look at this website with you. They can see all the fun that we have as a community, all the info and support that is available. They may see that reptile ownership is fairly widespread, that we are regular people many of whom started out with snakes at about your age. Let them ask us questions. Maybe if they become interested, it will help.
Click to expand...

Excellent idea.
 
Coming from a mother who was deathly afraid of snakes,try to convince her the best you can that YOU and you alone will be solely responsible for EVERYTHING to do with the snake. That's what my husband had to do with me. When I relented and allowed him to take in the 3 rescues he really did have to be the only one to handle and feed and if he had them out then he had to pre-warn me so I could leave the room. Slowly,I got tired of leaving the room and then slowly I warmed up to the snakes and began watching them a lot and then visited here for some more info on them. I was hooked from that moment. And I hadn't even held one yet but wanted some more! Now look at my sig! And those weren't all hubby aquisitions! A lot of those were mine!
 
If all else fails...you'll be out of the house in a couple years.

My mother would have never let me get a snake while living under her roof. She has a hard enough time visiting me with all my snakes :laugh:
 
Thank you all very much for the input! You all have great suggestions :] I'm picking up a book tomorrow for sure, and I'll just leave it about I suppose, and see what my mom says.. I'll follow up from there. Again, thank you!
 
ZoologyGirl said:
If all else fails...you'll be out of the house in a couple years.

My mother would have never let me get a snake while living under her roof. She has a hard enough time visiting me with all my snakes :laugh:
Click to expand...

Hey,I wish I would've allowed snakes a long time ago! LOL! The only family members who will step-foot in my house is my brother,his boyfriend and my MIL. Other than that, NOBODY will even come to my door! Works fine for me! :rolleyes:
 
just a quick blurb: My mother and I have to go to Pet Supplies Plus tomorrow (later today x] ) for a new cat litterbox, so I'm going to see if they have any corn snakes and if they're willing to let me handle one. So I'll find out real fast if this will fly. Wish me luck!
 
well, unfortunately, my dad fixed the litter box and my mother didn't have to go the store. So alas, today was unsuccessful. I might just flat out ask within the week, as the pet store does have a baby corn for 40 dollars. Until then..
 
I wish you luck!
I will not give you any advise because I didn't success on this matter :( Now I had move away from my mum and I take a snake :)
 
Well! The news is good!

I didn't get a straight "no".. my mother listened patiently to me, no yelling. At first she said "not until you're on your own", but I slowly wore her down to "If you sell all of the old saltwater fish stuff and look for a job, you can get one". So I am extremely excited! Thanks to everyone who helped me out :] Look for updates in the future! :crazy02:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top