need support; brother being a slow eater
all these pent up frustrations and anxiety...
i've shared how my brother is a slow eater and all this. since he's admitted to have been throwing away his food ever since school started in june, i've never really known how he's actually like when it comes to eating his packed snacks and lunches.
normal schedule of his school started again just yesterday. i told him to always record himself when eating cause i don't trust a word that he says (i went into detail about this in my first post).
yesterday, i noticed he spent 2 hrs on lunch. thankfully, they had 2 breaks that consisted of 1 hour. but normally, like today, they have only 30 mins of recess for snacks and 1 hr for lunch.
it's breakfast. let me tell you, he started eating at 4:10 am. it's already 5:45 and he's not even half done. everything he eats is also decided by him so i don't understand this??
the school service/bus comes in 15 mins and i just told him to finish it on the ride there (20 mins ride) and when he arrives, before classes. cause man he also has a recess and lunch and i just don't know how to handle this anymore.
i'm just so pent up and stressed by this. a single move or word i do or say, he'd throw up for no reason and just waste the time spent on eating that food. i mean really??? 2 hours on a simple sandwich?? 3 hours on 2 small chickens and 2 spoons of rice???
like i said, he's not like this at all times so it's not a sickness or anything. i don't even pressure him. i told him it's okay to be slow cause honestly, i'm mentally drained from all of this.
i just don't know how to handle this situation anymore. yes, i told my parents about all the throwing away his food and him being slow — which they reasoned he should lessen his meals (when it is being lessened already to the point where he only has 4 spoons of everything combined). not working at all.
i cannot. my gosh the deep stress i feel right now.
@decisiveSpruce7079
I'm really , really sorry that you are struggling so much with this and it's affecting you greatly 😔💛
he's not like this at all times so it's not a sickness or anything.
Why do you think that rules out sickness?
Many chronic conditions don't have symptoms that are consistent. They get worse and better, sometimes rapidly.
Why is he eating so slowly? That's probably not fun for him.
When he eats well is it a comfort food/something he likes?
I know someone who takes this long to eat also and it used to stress me out as well. I learned showing your stress about it actively can cause them to hide it more, so definitely talk to him gently if you decide to do so.
I feel you, and I wish you two luck in working through it/finding him a healthier lifestyle. It’s awesome to see a sibling reach out in support for the other. 💕
it's either ! 💖 he can eat well whether he likes the food or not and also eat slow even if that's what he's been craving like the situation earlier 🥹
thank you so much !! 🤧🙈
@decisiveSpruce7079
I truly empathize with your situation. The strain of dealing with this has become overwhelming. You have a strong desire to help your brother overcome his habit of eating slowly and his poor appetite, yet despite trying everything, the situation hasn't improved at all. I think you need to speak up and seek additional support from those around you. Try talking to his homeroom teacher; ask them to observe his eating habits and perhaps intervene or offer guidance. Coordinate with your parents to find a way to resolve this situation. I hope you are able to get through this difficult time soon.
A friend of mine had a daughter who ate this way. There was something wrong with her throat and needed surgery. Once she had recovered from the surgery, she had no trouble eating at a normal rate.
