Without going into too much detail. If your mum needs proof that they are great pets for some folks you can tell her this. I have a six year old foster child who has attachment difficulties and the day we bought him a corn snake and he first held it it you could see that he for the first time felt attached! He has gone on to hold it every day and rushes in from school just to sit with it. Amber (the snake) loves to just sit wrapped around his arm and my foster son just talks and talks to her about anything and everything.......you would have to see it to believe it.

I also have a 10yr old adopted daughter who normally lacks confidence but she has gained so much by owning a snake and having the responsibility of looking after it. She would scream if a bee came into the room but now she sits with a corn snake wrapped around her and doesnt batt an eyelid.