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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Relative taunted my son

64 replies

gottherage · 12/02/2018 14:13

I know I am not BU to be annoyed. A relative, who has grown up children of her own so should know better, taunted my son.

She stole his snacks. When he asked her not to, she distracted him and then stole some more. We don't take people's food in this house. I gave relative a packet of alphabet biscuits of her own but no, she wanted to steal my toddlers until he cried. I told her she was bring mean and to stop it. She made a "pffft" noise but did stop it.

I gave my son a letters game and nipped to the loo. When I went back in the living room, relative had taken game off him and was doing it herself and son had her coffee mug (partially full) in his hands. He tipped it, luckily away from himself, just as I walked in. Relative shouted at him and made him cry.

Told relative that son needed a nap, so they had to go. They did but on the way out grabbed son's softie toy and said she was going to take it with her. Stood there taunting him with it. He cried. I tried to grab it and she snatched it away. I had to manhandle her to get it back and then shut the door on her.

Who the fuck does that to a child?

OP posts:
Blankuser1992 · 12/02/2018 14:15

I would expect and apology

Don’t let her near your child

inmyshoos · 12/02/2018 14:15

Who the hell is this relative? They don't sound right in the head?
I'd not be having them over again any time soon.

OhForFrigSake · 12/02/2018 14:16

She sounds a bit unusual. Is she feeling ok mentally? I can't imagine stealing snacks from a child that were not freely given or threatening to steal their toys.

Bambamber · 12/02/2018 14:16

How old is the relative? Sounds like something a young, immature, jealous child would do. But as she was drinking coffee I'm assuming she's old enough to know better and was just being horrible. I wouldn't be having her over again anytime soon

Snowysky20009 · 12/02/2018 14:17

She wouldn't be going near my child again. However after the first instance, you should have said 'you either stop that or leave my home'.

bluecashmere · 12/02/2018 14:17

Someone who only knows how to relate to children through her experience as a child. Was she a nasty older sister to someone? She was probably the same to her DC and thought it was funny then. Or she doesn't like you and it was a PA to get at you.

flipperflop · 12/02/2018 14:18

Who is this person?? No one in their right mind would do that to a child?

Shedmicehugh · 12/02/2018 14:18

Don’t let her in your house again. Tell her why if she asks.

I’m not sure why some adults think it funny to tease children until they cry.

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 12/02/2018 14:19

Please don't say this is your MIL?!

gottherage · 12/02/2018 14:19

We call her "auntie" but she is actually my mother's cousin, not sister.

Not old and fuddled though, late 50s.

She's always been a teaser (she'll tell children there is an elephant in the fridge and stuff like that, regardless of whether they really believe her and then get upset) but I hadn't realised how mean she was until I had my own son.

OP posts:
lalalalyra · 12/02/2018 14:20

That's utterly bizarre behaviour. What was she like with her kids? She wouldn't be around mine again tbh, that's just ridiculous to keep at him.

BeHappyMummy · 12/02/2018 14:21

What an arsehole! Picking on a small child.

Keep him away from her or confront her for her disgusting behaviour. Goodness knows what she could do next time she visits.

ivenoideawhatimdoing · 12/02/2018 14:21

What an odd person. Steer clear OP and make sure to tell your mum. No more home visits for psycho auntie!

AnneLovesGilbert · 12/02/2018 14:23

I wouldn’t be letting her anywhere near him again. You wouldn’t be impressed at W other child his age behaving so badly towards him and she’s a grown woman who should bloody well know better.

She sounds unhinged.

MyKingdomForBrie · 12/02/2018 14:23

Wow that’s way past ‘teasing’ and just right into bullying, what a cow/

blackteasplease · 12/02/2018 14:25

I agree. don't let her near him again.

SweetMoon · 12/02/2018 14:27

Different if it was in a fun way and your child was laughing, but clearly he wasn't finding this fun! What a weirdo! I wouldn't be inviting her back in a hurry.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 12/02/2018 14:28

Is she right in the head. Hmm

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 12/02/2018 14:29

Jesus, tell her you've moved. To Australia, with no forwarding address...

gottherage · 12/02/2018 14:29

YES bluecashmere she was an older sister and I bet a nasty one as her sister doesn't have much to do with her.

I've heard her going "wahhh waaah" sarcastically to a child before (cousin's dd) when she was crying about something and was gobsmacked (child's mother handled it).

OP posts:
Thistlebelle · 12/02/2018 14:31

She wouldn’t be getting back in my house again.

Chugalug · 12/02/2018 14:31

My eldest son is exactly like this -18- with my youngest son 8...the eldest has autism...but actually as some one up thread said it is bullying..this thread has made me realise I need to crack down on it...definitely don't have her over again op x

YourVagesty · 12/02/2018 14:32

Arsehole.

I'd just have it out with her OP - next time she starts with that behaviour, tear a strip off her. People with that sense of humour have a horrible cruel streak and deserve to squirm for their behaviour.

ReanimatedSGB · 12/02/2018 14:32

I definitely wouldn't let that person back in my house, or near my DC unsupervised. Her behaviour is so far from 'normal' that TBH I would suggest some sort of personality disorder though, if she's in her 50s and has always been nasty but this is a new low, possible early Alzheimers?

Either way, don't subjet your poor DC to the spiteful cunt.

honeyrider · 12/02/2018 14:32

Teasing is a cop out for what she really is, a f'ing bully. You did the right thing to stand up to her. I bet if you talk to other family members about what happened you'll find out she's not liked.