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I have a younger brother who just turned 17. He has been homeschooled since he was in the 6th grade (about 4-5 years now). By homeschooled, I mean his courses are all online and he has to go through it himself.
Since he has been home all the time, he has become very withdrawn. He spends 12+ hours a day playing PC games. He has been failing his classes for the past 3 years. He has lost all of his friends he had from public school. He no longer showers or cleans his room- when I mean he doesn't clean I mean he doesn't even use a sheet on his mattress (there is just a black indent in the mattress where he sleeps) His closet is unable to open due to garbage and dirty clothes. He has a pet rabbit that I believe is getting neglected-the cage isn't cleaned and the rabbit is left without food or water for days.
I am away at college/moved out. I visit home maybe once or twice a year. When I arrive, my brother ignores me when I try to talk with him. Last time I was home I said hello to him, he just stared at me and said he hated me before slamming him bedroom door in my face. He does not know how to talk to people and has few social skills. Whenever I visit home it gets worse. I no longer want to go home due to his lack of hygiene, his rabbit bed shavings are spread into the hallway beside my bedroom door and fruitflies from his room seep into my room as well. (since I have moved out my room is clean and used mostly for storage)
Amongst all of this my parents refuse to think there is anything wrong. My mother says that if he is failing his courses he can't get his GED and that "it is his own problem". That it is my dad's son and he should discipline him. My dad is always busy with work, he says that it was my moms idea to homeschool him and she should take authority. Regarding my brothers hygiene and cleaning habits my dad has threatened to throw him out if he doesn't clean up. This has not motivated him to clean. I recommend my parents to take him to a psychologist but they refuse because they think nothing is wrong with him and that he wouldn't want to go in the first place.
Before all of this my brother and I were best friends when we were younger. He has always been the spoiled one (not just saying this, he got his own laptop and iPad when he was 10, I got in trouble for things he did, he would intentionally get me in trouble, ect.) He was very outgoing, always ready to speak his mind and very intelligent in the subjects of math and history.
This can't possibly be just a phase. His life is being destroyed and I feel like my parents are doing nothing about it. I know it is hard for me to help when I am far away from the situation. Is there any way to help? I fear if I wait for him to reach out for help, he may never receive it. Or am I being just too worried about my sibling?
Sorry about your family. That's a tough one. I do believe you have an obligation to save the animal that is being neglected. If you can't just take it, then report your parents for this abuse. It is not okay. Please act sooner rather than later.
You should also probably move all of your stuff out.
What was the reason they pulled him out of school? Doesn't sound like he is getting homeschooling or even any attention socially or basic life skills from your parents. My daughter home schools and works with her children and makes sure they are involved as much as possible with other children.
Diablo, World Of Warcraft, Divinity, etc, People think some of these PC games are innocent fun but they all have spiritual components of darkness that can be brought into one's life. The traits you described about him seem like classic possession. Keep in mind possession doesn't always mean Exorcist-like antics. Possession can be spiritual bondage and/idolatry to people, objects, music, games, etc. They all carry spiritual components that one can be drawn to for better or worse depending on what is being promoted. You need to take authority in Christ's name and pray and rebuke the demon holding his spirit captive. If you are uncomfortable with this or are non-spiritual, get someone who can. Death from a video game addiction (which is actually a spiritual addiction) is a real thing.
His parents are extremely irresponsible for allowing this to continue. Especially his father who is suppose to be a disciplinarian. Since your mother won't touch this, your father needs to make the time off from his job to get with you on a crusade to get his son and his life together. He may have to get physical if your brother gets nasty and lashes out. Shut off his internet, shut off the power, pull him off the computer, and immediately throw those games out of the house.
Last edited by allenk893; 10-14-2018 at 07:44 PM..
Your brother has failed his online coursework for 3 years and he's still enrolled? ???
I guess I'll wait to see if you post a second post before writing a thought-out response.
That's what I wondered too. My kids go to online school and they would not be permitted to continue with the school if they were consistently failing courses.
He's a minor and this is neglect. If you don't have anyone else who can intervene, a report to child protective services (or whatever your local equivalent is called) is likely called for.
That's what I wondered too. My kids go to online school and they would not be permitted to continue with the school if they were consistently failing courses.
Thank you for inserting some factual reality into this thread.
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