My stimmie is 13 months old, i've had him about 7 weeks. I've been feeding him 2 weaner mice once a week, but have been told it's too much and to get him onto adult mice, just 1 a fortnight. I always leave him to rest for at least 2 days after a feed. I always feed him on the hot side.
When he's resting I leave him, I only pick him up when he's moving around the viv. I pick him up with a small hook, he struggles a little at first, then settles down.
I know how confusing it is when you first get a snake, I'm only just now beginning to feel comfortable with him, but I love him more every day. Good luck.