I don't like my niece and nephews

[FeelBadAboutIt]

Is that normal?

I'm pretty sure it's unreasonable

My niece and nephews are objectively quite nice little people. They mean no harm. They r all primary school age and a little younger than my own DC. The problem is though, I don't like them!

I often hear friends rave about their niece's and nephews. Only today a friend texted me about how lovely it has been for her to spend Christmas with her niece and nephew.

But I don't feel it at all. I know I should love my niece and nephews to bits, but I just dont. In fact, I actively dislike them! (Sorry, I know that's not nice. I obviously don't let them know. I'm v nice to them, praise them, tell their parents how sweet/clever/etc.. they are....)

I obviously love my own DCs, and I like most of their friends - so it isn't a blanket dislike of all children who aren't mine! But my niece and nephews really annoy me and no, I don't enjoy spending time with them.

Anyone else?
Why is this?
Will I grow to love them and stop finding them annoying?

I have one nephew. My exH’s brother’s kid. I really don’t like him. I used to, but in recent years he’s become a right little shit. He is spoiled and demanding and will have a right old strop if he doesn’t get his own way. He puts demands on my DD and will have a go at her if she doesn’t go along with what he wants. My DS who is older isn’t very keen on his cousin either.

I love the honesty on this thread. I don't like my niece. She's spoilt, self absorbed and sneaky. She's in her teens now and my feelings have got worse rather than better. I've been feeling rather loathsome about it all but I've now realised I'm not alone. I don't get on with my brother (her dad) which is where my feelings probably stem from. He's a useless father and my mum overcompensates to the detriment of my kids. I like my other nieces and nephews.

Kids change over the years, so your feelings may change too. I don't really have any niece or nephews but have other young children in the family and yes they aren't my kids, but I wouldn't dislike them unless they were narcissistic brats, and even then, they are kids and could change.

I guess you bond with who you bond with, but unless the children are utter brats, it's a bit weird to dislike them when they haven't done anything to you. That suggests the problem is more you than them. It's very weird to dislike someone for no reason. You may find the feeling is mutual at some point if you are projecting your dislike of them.

She is a brat and I have plenty of reasons to dislike her. As I said, she's sneaky, self absorbed, manipulative and spoilt.

I’m more tolerant now that I’m an old granny, but when mine were children (and quite perfect, obviously) I had very little time for any variety of PITA child behaviour, and I had a particular loathing for whining. A friend’s dd hardly ever talked properly - she just whined. It made me feel 👿.

I’d always made it clear to my two that unless they talked properly, I was stone deaf.