Worries

[minaa]

So, I've been lurking a bit. My ball refuses to eat more than once every three weeks or so. She's in a better enclosure now, with a better heat source (under-tank heater, rubbermaid container with holes drilled into it, paper towels as substrate, fresh water). Humidity is consistent and the temperature is low-mid 80s.

I am concerned that she doesn't eat often.She isn't growing very fast (I got her last fall, she's at *least* eight months old) as a result. Note: I know this is controversial, but I did this as a worried snake mom. I know she should be eating more, and this is my last resort.Paper bag method didn't work. So, I tried assist-feeding her. I attempted this a few months ago, and that didn't work either. Her last shed was not good (a few soaks and damp towel rubs helped things along).

Now, I'm prepared to stop attempting this, because it hasn't worked. I feel like I'm coming to my wits end with this particular snake, as I can't seem to do right by her. Please, can I get encouragement and support? I need to regain her "trust" as the assist-feeds always seem very stressful for snakes, either for my own or for the ones I've seen on youtube.

I enjoy snakes so much, and she's my first real snake (my last one only stayed with me for a few months before getting passed on to another owner).