Dh's family let their Dc chase our ds and family pet ALL THE TIME

[BitOfrarebit]

SiL & BIL let their ds (9 yrs old) chase after our young dog whenever they visit. They also let him chase my ds (3 years old) around the house which he hates.

Whenever they visits their son who is an only child and is perhaps not used to having younger children around chases and annoys my ds and also our dog. The same happens when we visit them although we don't bring our dog with us then.

AIBU to say something next time he does this? Last time they came my ds was hiding behind the sofa as his much bigger cousin was teasing and chasing him. He is not scared of his cousin but finds it annoying and seeks shelter by hiding.

I hate to create a situation with my in laws especially with Christmas around the corner but should I say something or am I being PFB and ds should toughen up?

Do your older dc chase their much younger cousins or siblings around, or family pets for that matter? At 3 my ds knows not to chase our dog.

I am expecting dc2 and have had a rough pregnancy and need some perspective here. Is it me being PFB and soppy because of pregnancy hormones?

We are invited over this weekend and i am dreading it already.

[ohhereweareagain]

minerva MN has many people who constantly bring in the only child bollocks if a child is difficult for whatever reason implying it is directly connected to their not having siblings. It pisses me off as it does many others on here who have one child and if you did, it would probably piss you off too so do one

[ohhereweareagain]

oh and yes, i am professionally offended when it comes to the constant speculation of the behaviour of 'only' children when it is coming from people who have/are able to have more than one as that is generally where it comes from. I am also quite pathetic

[PeteAndManu]

For context when my children are playing hide and seek and chase with their cousins my 10yo gives his 3yo cousin a piggyback. She adores him. If he starts to chase your dog or child try distracting him or say that x doesn’t lie that but he does like.etc etc or have something else to play with. If he keeps doing it say no and explain why. You can be firm but fair with him. If your SIL doesn’t like it tough, she should step in herself,

[Labradoodliedoodoo]

I think you could ask the boy to stop and look at your DS. Then ask if DS looks like he’s enjoying the game because you know he’s not. Ask him why he’s chasing sombody who’s hating it. Point out that his behaviour is making Ds very upset. Tell him to stop.

[Labradoodliedoodoo]

Make it all about you DS because it is about him. If SIL is snoopy tell her ‘ds gets so upset by the boys game. DS’s feelings matter’

[Booboostwo]

Chasing the dog is completely unacceptable because it is dangerous. You need to ask him to stop immediately. If SIL gets in a strop explain to her that while she doesn't not discipline and that is her choice the dog will discipline her D.C. directly and then you'll have a much more difficult situation at hand.

As for chasing your DS your nephew should be more sensitive to his style of play affects others. Rather than telling him what to do e.g. Stop that, try telling him how your DS feels, e.g. He find the chasing game scary and annoying, maybe ask him to chase you? That approach might work better with SIL.

[Labradoodliedoodoo]

Make it all about you DS because it is about him. If SIL is snoopy tell her ‘ds gets so upset by the boys game. DS’s feelings matter’

[abualb]

You need to protect your DS and dog, they're clearly not happy!
Step in!

The time for not wanting to offend is gone, you put your pet and DS first here!?!

[IslingtonLou]

Wake up!

Your dog is a living animal, not a cuddly toy. The dog eventually won’t enjoy being chased around and constantly bothered by the other child - he isn’t a toy that ‘just wants to play’. What if your nephew annoys your dog to it’s limit one day, or touches/grabs the dog somewhere where it’s injured? Dogs have a fight or flight system, but if your nephew keeps bothering the dog what can the dog actually do to protect himself? He may snap/bite as a last resort as your nephew has no boundaries. You need to protect the entire household here and put SIL in place.

[Sugarpiehoneyeye]

@IslingtonLou couldn't have said it better.
Listen up OP.

[Mustang27]

Good luck getting it sorted Bit it will be easier than you expected I’m sure.