How can I help my mom overcome her fear of snakes?

purespeed11: How can I help my mom overcome her fear of snakes?
For christmas, my dad got me a pet snake. She is the most beautiful creature ever! Anyway, my parents are split up and I change houses every week. My mom said my new friend isn’t allowed at her house. How can I convince my mom to let me bring her with me as I switch houses every week? I know she’ll be oka with my snke in the house, my dad knows it will be OK, you people out here probablly know y mom il be ok with snake in the house, but how do I tell her that?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Ash-Sha-Lee
i overcame my fear of snakes because my brother got 1 anyhoo i just touched tha back of it while they where holding it and it helped me realize that its not gonna eat me =D

Answer by brandyviola
My mom is deathly afraid of snakes, but when she helped us move she had to sleep in the house with it. There is no real way to make her “comfortable” with it, but don’t scare her with it, that will just make her more afraid. The good news is that your snake can be easily maintained staying at your dads house with little care. You should play with her often – and since your dad bought it for you I would think he would not mind keeping it “socialized” while you were away at your moms.

If it is very important for you to take it with you every week, then I’d try expalining how much it means to you, let her see the snake (assuming she promises not to kill it) and show her that it is harmless.. This may help but some people just are not going to change their oppinions reguarding this matter – being a snake owner you will have to learn and accept this… It’s part of the life =)

Answer by Shan
You should get some informational books on snakes, and help her understand that most common snakes aren’t deadly. Also, they usually won’t bite unless threatened. Another idea is to have her pet one, (not wild but at a zoo or another indoor facility).

Answer by mysticdreamer2006
hi there
most ppl are scared of snakes due to it’s in our genes when we were not domesticated billion yrs ago ..some ppl just have the fear gene it might take a while b4 u convince her that they are not dangerous slimmy etc snakes are not bad and it’s the movies and stupid ppl that make it look like snakes are bad …. my mom has a fear of any rodent that has tail etc rats so it might take awhile….just don’t force her to like her it will push her more away from the snakes…and good luck

Answer by Jenn
A fear of snakes is learned, not inherited. Also anyone can overcome their fears if they are willing. It’s entirely up to your mother as to whether or not she chooses to tolerate the snake.

From your mother’s point of view, it is her house and so she can decide what stays and what goes. She is within her right to deny your pet snake a home in her house.

However, from your position it would also be fair to say that you are her child and your happiness should matter very much to her.

You can try to show that the snake means very much to you and would like to keep it as a constant companion. The snake may bring about a sense of stability in an otherwise ever changing situation. I wouldn’t bother with trying to get her to like the snake, because she won’t. You can try to convince her that the snake’s presence will have very little impact on her. If you must, the snake will remain hidden while it stays in her home. The less she sees or thinks about the snake, the better its chances of remaining are.

A person’s fear of snakes is not a matter to be taken lightly. It’s a very irrational fear, and if you press the issue your mother may behave badly. She might kill the snake without thinking. I would suggest approaching the situation very carefully.

Being a snake owner includes having to cope with the idea that many people will hate your snake. They cannot be reasoned with, and if pushed to far may try to convince you of the evilness of the snake or at worst will kill the creature you treasure very much.

The best of luck to you.