How can I convince my mother to get me my first tarantula?

[DragonT]

Just what the title says. I've been interested in the hobby for about a month and a half and I think I'm ready for my first tarantula. Any honorable suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[freedumbdclxvi]

Just flat out ask and answer her questions honestly. Show her info online if she has further questions.

 

[tony119]

My experience is funny. I just bought my first T without my parents knowing.
Just when my mom saw it, there's nothing she can do.
After a short period of time, she is also fascinated with it as it encourage me to buy more T's.

Well, my father didn't know it, because I know he will not allow me to. He doesn't know until now. LOL!

 

[Cydaea]

"Mom, can I get a pet that doesn't smell, doesn't need to be walked, doesn't need attention, is quiet, very cheap and easy to care for, takes up very little space and encourages me to educate myself?"

 

[prairiepanda]

My mom: "If that girl thinks she's gonna be taking a giant spider into my house, she's got another thing comin'!"
I show up with not one, but THREE tarantulas and she says: "They're kind of cute aren't they? And so calm! You can put them upstairs[in the public area] if you want!"

If you get the T yourself, there's nothing your mom can do. Once she sees it, she'll either be fascinated and want to learn more, or she'll tell you to keep it out of her sight

 

[Stirmi]

My mom: "If that girl thinks she's gonna be taking a giant spider into my house, she's got another thing comin'!"
I show up with not one, but THREE tarantulas and she says: "They're kind of cute aren't they? And so calm! You can put them upstairs[in the public area] if you want!"

If you get the T yourself, there's nothing your mom can do. Once she sees it, she'll either be fascinated and want to learn more, or she'll tell you to keep it out of her sight

I don't recommend that because she may make you get rid of it or worse and you never want te animal to suffer not to mention you'll destroy some trust between you too what I would do is show your knowledge make PowerPoints calculate how much it would cost and try harder in school and really impress her so she has no choice but to say yes

 

[spiderengineer]

honesty is the best policy. if your mom is arachnophobic just bring her here to answer all her concerns and show her the pics to see how many wonderful, beautiful, and fascinating species are out their. also explain how low maintenance and inexpensive most of them are.

 

[abigayle2996]

I spent a month or two endlessly talking about tarantulas and showing her pictures of them and trying to convince them of how cool they were and what good pets they make. She wasn't going to say yes at first, but she realized how cool they are after a while, and I think my constant chatter annoyed her enough, that she finally said yes on the terms that 1. I paid for everything (which I was already planning on doing) and 2. she never had to touch it or help take care of it, if she didn't want to.
Now, she loves both my Ts, and she comes into my room and visits them and oohs and aahs over them all the time.
Best of luck, hope you can convince her to say yes!

 

[Stirmi]

I spent a month or two endlessly talking about tarantulas and showing her pictures of them and trying to convince them of how cool they were and what good pets they make. She wasn't going to say yes at first, but she realized how cool they are after a while, and I think my constant chatter annoyed her enough, that she finally said yes on the terms that 1. I paid for everything (which I was already planning on doing) and 2. she never had to touch it or help take care of it, if she didn't want to.
Now, she loves both my Ts, and she comes into my room and visits them and oohs and aahs over them all the time.
Best of luck, hope you can convince her to say yes!

That's what I did with my dad since my mom was on my side and finally I convinced him and now I have 40 something inverts

 

[Poec54]

Make sure it's a slow and docile species, and there is NO chance of an escape.

 

[845BigRed]

I basically just walked in the door with a 5 gallon tank and a 4 inch Chilean Rose and set everything up. Then told my mom, all she said was great there go my chance at grandkids.

I've yet to tell her a lot of girls are interested in T's as well

 

[jthorntonwillis]

T's to start

Get a Eupalestrus Campesatus. There is no Mom in the world that would not love one of these.The most docile,handelable and overall great spiders out there...

 

[deviance1911]

Get a Eupalestrus Campesatus. There is no Mom in the world that would not love one of these.The most docile,handelable and overall great spiders out there...

False, if your an deathly afraid of spiders its VERY hard to cure this. This is fear that is instilled in you as a child. So no not all moms would love them. Although I get the point your trying to make lol.

 

[rob0t]

Bribe her with chores. Do the dishes, take out the trash, wash her car, clean etc.

 

[sugarsandz]

I always ask before bringing a new spider home. My mom doesn't really care for them but as long as I keep them in tanks with good lids to prevent escapes then she doesn't care. My dad said he knows I take good care of them and they don't smell so he doesn't care how many I have. They just don't want anything fast or with potent venom so I stick with brachys and I have a G. rosea which is fine with me for now.

The most important thing is to be honest and to not go behind her back even if she says no. I would be very upset if I disliked or was afraid of spiders and a family member brought one into my house, I'd see it as a lack of concern for others. I think unless people are terrified of tarantulas they eventually see that they aren't a big deal to keep around and allow them, it can take time though.

Best of luck to you and I hope your mother lets you bring one home! Do lots of research on here and get a good book (The Tarantula Keepers Guide is filled with useful info).

---------- Post added 05-23-2013 at 01:14 PM ----------

I might ad that brachypelmas aren't the only slower tarantulas, I just really like them!

 

[Poec54]

Bribe her with chores. Do the dishes, take out the trash, wash her car, clean etc.

Good idea. Turn on the charm. How can they say 'no.'

 

[EightLeggedFreaks]

When I was living at home. I brought one home without her knowing, and subtly brought up the topic of tarantulas and told her that I have one down stairs. She yelled no! and kept yelling persistent no's. My selling point however was lockable lids hah. My step dad at the time told me if he ever catches one up stairs it's going in the toilet lol. Then 1 turned into 9 and she brought me aside and talked to me, and said NO! lol, again my selling point was lockable lids and that she'd never have to take care of them. She never entered my room again!

 

[pardozer]

When I was a little kid, I collected spiders and kept them as pets. I grew out of that and in my early 20's I purchased a Versicolor sling. Once my parents seen it I told them it was just an exotic spider. Then at 4" they seen it again. I re-assured them it would not escape and if it did, I would get rid of it. Three years later I'm up to 29 t's and my arachnophobic mom loves to watch them when I'm at work. She even got drunk one night and pet my B. Smithi. She was so excited to tell me she touched one finally I didn't have the heart to scold her. I did the next day however. Explaining she could have hurt herself or the tarantula in the process and next time, have myself present.

 

[nicolevins]

I agree with charming her by doing chores and going out of your way to do things for her, give her information about tarantulas, possibly show videos of kids handling one, let her know how cheap the are to keep, that it WILL be your responsibility, buy a tank with a lock if possible to ease her mind, tell her you'll keep it out of her sight and not talk to her about tarantulas if that's what she would like. I guess it varies, depending on your mother's personality. Possibly save up and buy it for yourself?

For me it took all of these things, as well as some two months of talking about how eager I was to own one. I was eventually allowed one for my 14th birthday. My next was my 16th birthday. I'm waiting on 3 to be sent from England for my 17th birthday. I also find suggesting you want one for you birthday/Christmas could help. These are the only special times I'm allowed to buy a pet, oddly enough!

Best of luck.

 

[Munch]

Good situation "Can I get a T?" mom: yes!
Bad situation "Can I get a T?" mom: no! "It is quiet, small, interesting, needs little cleaning, and is awesome to watch. mom: If you pay for it!