To wonder why my nephew hates me

[Scottishnurse]

My 2yo nephew absolutely hates me. I know that sounds so daft but it's true. Every time I am in his company he points at my and shouts no. He won't engage with me in any way. He barely looks at me.

I know this sounds ridiculous talking about a baby like this but it is absolutely true.

I find it so upsetting. How do I fix it? I've never experienced this with a child before.

People always say children (and pets) know/recognise bad people. Perhaps he sees some deep terrible trait in you that the others can't. On the other hand he's probably just going through a phase.

With that age, I'd try toys or food. Take a toy or a favourite snack like popcorn, ignore him, play with it/eat it by yourself in plain sight making plenty of happy noises ("yum, yum" etc.) and see if he cracks.

I really wouldn't worry. He's 2. Unless there's something you're not telling us, his dislike is unlikely to be founded on any reasonable/consistent ground .

My sister's 2 were a bit like this with me and with my BIL's brother around this age - not so much the shouting but they would stare at us very suspiciously. I look and sound quite like my sister and same with BIL and brother - I think they found it confusing.

They came round eventually, although they're still deeply confused at the concept of their mum being my sister

Chocolate buttons

Also in terms of bribery... I have always done this i always bring him in a treat when I see him but he usually won't take it unless my mum or his mum gives him it 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

I want to have him up and have sleepovers and take him out and about with my dcs but its just not possible. Its so sad

Don't give him the treat. Sit down in front of him and start to eat it yourself. So put the chocolate buttons on a plate in front of you and eat one rather than offering them to him. If he asks for one, make a big deal about how kind you are sharing with him.

For some reason, a lot of kids like people who play a bit hard to get .

Is he a cat? Trapped in a 2yo body?

Sitting nearby doing something interesting to them or new to them does often work.

Also perhaps always have your hair or clothes a certain way when you visit so if you look like your sister he can start to differentiate between you. A specific scarf or bracelet or wear you hair in a bun.

My Mum and her sister were identical twins and the Mummy but not Mummy was confusing when I was little, my aunt used to say hi and always point out something easy to spot I could use to tell between them before I could reliably do it myself.

Hi xxx it's aunt xx and have you seen my pink bracelet today type thing. I wasn't keen on her for a while but it did help.

I read this too quickly as my 20 year old nephew and for a few seconds, had an image of a grown man pointing at you and shouting 'No!' whenever you walked in the room.

I think it's a phase and he'll grow out of it. I was terrified of an uncle as a child simply because he was very tall! He was perfectly nice to me and everything.

Count yourself lucky and forget about it

DN was like this if I had my specs on. When I took them off he was fine. He's 10 now and we dote on each other. It's now his embarrassing DParents who freak him out.