Start off for by saying when I say child I mean myself (adult).
DHs cousin who I have vaguely met does not get on with most of DHs family and seems to actively dislike most of them. It's a very toxic situation as they also don't seem to want to stay out of peoples lives and will often try to cause drama. It's been going on for years.
Anyway they have started a hobby which ironically my father also goes to. They have somehow learnt who my father is. They for some reason have become friendly to the extent my father has felt the need to tell them personal information about me. The cousin then told others and used the information in a horrible way. I Initially just had a chat with my father discussed the dynamics and asked him not to speak to this person about me or DH.
However it has happened again and I had the unfortunate situation of running into this cousin now a few times recently. Despite in the past we would just not acknowledge each other. Now they come over to tell me all about my father and the things they know etc.
I have again spoken to my father. Obviously I would never ask him to stop doing a hobby but also explained this person does not like me and it clearly now trying to antagonise me. My father told me I must be misunderstanding and he's sure nothing is meant by it.
I know I can't tell my father who to talk to etc and I haven't. But as a parent now myself I can't imagine becoming friends with a person who clearly did not like their child and was actively upsetting them. Am I being pathetic?