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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think my niece and her partner are too immature?

144 replies

Kathryn114 · 29/12/2014 20:34

My neice and her boyfriend are 24, and they have a 3 year old daughter (my great niece). They are lovely people, my niece is a care assistant in a residential care home for the elderly, voted "favourite carer" by the residents and staff, and her boyfriend is a gardner.

But they are so, so childish. They both sound like children talking iyswim. My niece always has been childish, but she still dresses very bizarrely (loads of bright colours that clash, plastic jewellery, hair dyed lilac in bunches), she gets excited about everything and is always clapping her hands, dancing, I just feel uncomfortable watching! And her boyfriend only talks to her and his daughter, he has barely uttered a word to me! He also acts immaturely and gets excited about everything, and has tattoos of cartoon mermaids and kings and queens all up his arms Hmm

The other day we visited them (we live 3 hours away) and when we arrived all 3 of them were sat around a plastic table in the lounge colouring. No adult conversation going on, whenever we asked them anything it was always a quick answer. My niece kept coming up with strange conversations too, such as "Maybe the earth is flat and astronauts are lying to us!" Their lounge decor was very strange as well, they both seem to have this obsession with the ocean and so the walls were full of pictures of sharks, dolphins and jellyfish, as well the many tanks of fish they have. When we went out for a walk, all 3 of them were running riot and barging into people and we had to keep apologising to people for them. Confused

AIBU to be annoyed with their parenting? It is more like three 3 year olds are living together! I am worried about my great niece's development because her parents seem to be stuck in childhood mode. My husband tells me to just leave them be, but it all just seems rather strange to me. They are lovely in their own ways, but I can't help being annoyed with them at the same time!

OP posts:
Awadebumbo · 30/12/2014 13:39

I think they sound brilliant. The best things about young children is their imagination is limitless. When my daughter was little I told her that we had an invisible elephant that lived in the back garden we used to go out and fees it.

Awadebumbo · 30/12/2014 13:40

Feed I mean

Pipbin · 30/12/2014 13:49

OP: Hello, social services?
SS: Speaking.
OP: I'd like to report some child abuse please.
SS: OK, is the child being physically or sexually abused? Not fed, kept clean and dry? Living in damp, dirty or unhygienic conditions? Being ignored or not stimulated? Are the parents drunk or using drugs?
OP: No, the mother doesn't wear Boden or even FatFace and I don't like the decor. They don't have any sticks in pots or letters that spell out Love.
SS: Holy shit, thanks for the call. We'll send someone round and take them into care right away.

NowBringUsSomeFuzzpiggyPudding · 30/12/2014 14:07

Had anyone clicked on that link that I opalstones put up? Have a look at what customers also bought...

Well, that's my amazon browsing history fucked, sontarans :o

Idontseeanysontarans · 30/12/2014 14:20

Between that and the last time I clicked on someone else's link I really hope that DH doesn't use my amazon history as a birthday present guide GrinGrin
Odd how the OP hasn't come back...

DalekBread · 30/12/2014 15:00

Is this off a children's program of some sort?

Marmiteandjamislush · 30/12/2014 15:02

YABU and sound really vile tbh. I'm not surprised they didn't talk to you, they could probably sense your nasty judgements as soon as you walked in.

PoppySausage · 30/12/2014 15:16

The questions your great niece is asking sound very smart! They sound fun although the barging into people bit sounds inconsiderate

iamdivergent · 30/12/2014 15:28

You'd hate my DH and I Grin we frequently ramble on about superheroes and graphic novels Grin we even have posters Wink

Jodie1982 · 30/12/2014 15:51

I'd love to know a couple like that, my life would b less dull. I'm sure they parent very well, they were playing with their child when u visited? They just seem very Colourful/energetic people.

GatoradeMeBitch · 30/12/2014 16:17

Someone who has been voted Favourite Carer in a care home is an awesome person to know as far as I'm concerned. They sound like devoted parents too. Just see them on days when you feel like letting your hair down!

SistersOfPercy · 30/12/2014 16:55

You'd hate my DH and I we frequently ramble on about superheroes and graphic novels grin we even have posters

I'm a stormtrooper and my DH is a Biker Scout. We have full size armour Grin We are somewhat Star Wars orientated in this house, there are lightsabers on the walls and blasters on display. If Social Services interests are peaked with immaturity I'd best tell DD to start packing.

Nancy66 · 30/12/2014 17:02

your great niece has a mum and dad who are together and seem to be making their relationship work.

They hold down jobs and seem to enjoy being parents and playing with their child.

I can't see the need for concern. no, I wouldn't want them running the country but they sound harmless enough.

iklboo · 30/12/2014 17:20

Us too, IAmDivergent. We've got Rocket & Groot bobble heads & everything.

opalstones · 30/12/2014 17:23

I'm loving all these stories of young at heart parents!

I took my nieces to the Harry Potter studio and cried with joy, whilst wearing a Slytherin costume. They were embarrassed to be seen with me :)

NowBringUsSomeFuzzpiggyPudding · 30/12/2014 17:23

I spent part of Sunday lovingly stroking an Adipose from doctor who :o

NowBringUsSomeFuzzpiggyPudding · 30/12/2014 17:23

Well I would be too, opal - SLYTHERIN?!

opalstones · 30/12/2014 17:25

I am absolutely a Slytherin, Pudding - Pottermore said so and everything Grin

katese11 · 30/12/2014 17:29

snarf at "elderly". My niece is that kinda age and I'm 33!

This does sound like some bizarre kids TV show...

NowBringUsSomeFuzzpiggyPudding · 30/12/2014 17:31

:o

iklboo · 30/12/2014 17:33

Wait a mo! Niece has lilac hair? Is she in ackshual fact....Nymphadora Tonks??? Resamurrectified?

opalstones · 30/12/2014 17:36

DH is a Gryffindor. It causes major household drama!

WyldChyld · 30/12/2014 17:47

I really, really, really want a colouring book and some coloured pencils now... Does someone want to buy me them and send me them? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease? Also, I'm a student lawyer (lots of placements, suitable suits etc) and I have hair chalks so I can do funky hair whenever I can =D. I've already spent my book allowance this decade month according to DH (he's the grown up in our relationship when it comes to money and books).

livingonaprayer1986 · 30/12/2014 17:58

Hmmm I think YABU. i play with my 3 year old all the time like a loon. Just yesterday we were dinosaurs pretending the floor was lava and my hubby was the bad dinosaur who we needed to capture lol. I colour a lot with her too although I admittedly would not ignore guests when they came in. If the child is warm, fed, clean and happy I dont see a problem X

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 30/12/2014 18:00

WyldChyld it's only two sleeps until January though... I've got this one www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1909855723/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1419962208&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=61TCuXFz6-L&ref=plSrch

And want this one next (only £3.99) www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/184994167X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1419962228&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=61kwwM0nLQL&ref=plSrch

Secret Garden is meant to be good too.Go on, you know you want to! It's very relaxing and can even preserve sanity at 3am when you're brain is being bombarded by the repetitive speech of a hyper autistic teen who expects you to continuously respond Grin

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