I am so angry on my DB's behalf. He is having problems with his oldest son (10yo) who is being defiant, lazy and argumentative. His school report was atrocious and my DB is now being very firm with him. My nephew wants some new sport wear and my DB has refused. He has refused because he is currently unemployed and cannot afford it and also, my nephew's behaviour does not warrant the purchase of these items.
This all happened in front of my DB's SIL. She then said to my nephew to not worry and that she would buy the clothes for him. In addition, she said to my DB that if his son is not interested in school, then so what, leave him alone?
Does anybody else think that she is out of order in behaving like this? Surely it is up to a parent to decide what a child can have and whether or not they should behave at school? She has done this because she always makes barbed comments about him not working and this is another way to belittle him. He is really upset about it - I think he feels emasculated. If she is trying to encourage my nephew to disrespect his father, then she is going he right way about it.