Snake

[mambonoone]

I have an extreme phobia of snakes, so bad that I even have a massive phobia of worms. Anything that isn't a cat, dog or has between two and four legs is not something I'm comfortable around.
Snakes have always been a huge fear of mine since I was about 5/6 and saw someone shoot one when I was in holiday in turkey. Traumatic experience for a young kid I suppose..
Anyways, the point of this is that my dm has chosen to get a python despite knowing of my phobia. I warned her that if she has it in the house there is no way I am coming over and I'm especially not comfortable with my DS being in the house either. It's probably the fear in me but there's just nothing about it that makes it okay.
AIBU for not wanting to go there? She's making out like I'm being childish when in reality I couldn't think of anything worse... be honest with me.

I don’t think you are being unreasonable no. I might think you were if a fear of spiders was making you live in one sterile room forever but snakes - well that’s another thing altogether.
Your mother should be taking account of your difficulty before getting a snake - which IMO is in the top five of ridiculous pets!

What a mean thing for her to do!

The thing about phobias is that they aren’t rational and you can’t control them, at least not without a lot of therapy. You can’t just get over it.

Don’t let yourself be forced into anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. Your mother has chosen to do this knowing of your phobia, bit much to complain about you not liking it.

I can see why you’re upset but I don’t think you should instill the fear into your DS. It would be good for him to see a snake & not fear it.

Phobias are a very real thing that can be frightening and effect your life hugely.
Fear of snakes is very common.
If your mum knows of your fear then she’s being extremely U in getting a python and expecting you to still visit.
Mind you, if it’s in a room that you wouldn’t need to go in then fair play, if, on the other hand, it’s in the lounge then nooooooo.
How old is your mum to be getting a python??

Yanbu, we are not in control of our phobias, that’s how it works.
Your mum is mean.

That's a bit of a left field pet!
Has she ever expressed any interest in snakes before?
If I had a phobia I'd never step foot in her house again. It would be me or the snake!

I have a snake and members of my family have a phobia of them. It was a hard decision, but dp had always wanted one and I really like them, so we decided to go ahead

Pythons are boring as fuck as pets. My family had several when I was young. You stare at them lying still under a light bulb in a glass box, occasionally feed them a mouse and wait for them to shit out the remains. If you're lucky it'll bite you one day when you're petting it (sat still with it wrapped around your hand) and you can take an exciting trip to A & E for a tetanus shot.

Totally misses point of thread.

I totally understand your phobia and if my dm got a spider as pet I would never want to visit again. However, I wouldn't stop my dc visiting as long as in all other respects my dm was kind, loving and responsible - just has a different preference for pets! I don't want to pass my phobia on.

Plus as others have said - of all the snakes to get as a pet the python is the most boring. My ex had snakes and I wished he would get a python as his bloody corn and rat snakes were a nightmare.