What would you do?

[costagirl]

Going on holiday this summer again with DH's brother, SIL and 9 year old DS. Our DS1 is 2 years younger than him, and they have an interesting relationship. All the adults get on like a house on fire - we tried a holiday together last year, and it was fab, APART from the incessant winding up of DS1 by his cousin. It used to be very physical, (Cousin locked him in a suitcase AGE 1 and sat on it, wasn't even told off), lots of snidy things, and now ultra competitive, "I'm better than you" constant winding up. DS1 rises to it and gets v upset. we thought they might have grown out of it by this year - but had Cousin over to sleep last week and exactly the same happened. Ended up by 8.30pm with DS in tears, refusing to sleep in same room as cousin. Difficult for us to say anything to BIL and SIL. Now dreading holiday. Have DS2 who adores cousin. Any advice?

you're gonna have to tell BIL and SIL, your ds cannot be treated like that, theres no easy way tbh, either dont go, or tell them outright

Prob is they think the sun shines out of his backside and that our DS is a wet tell-tale. He is a bit over sensitive, but I don't like him being constantly wound up. Such a shame when the rest of us all get on. I suppose we will have to broach it with them.

Your dh needs to have a chat with his brother about it before you go.

Costagirl - its bullying.

Do not tolerate it. I do not blame your DS1. I have seen this quite often between siblings and parents do not clamp down on it. Obviously tricky here as these are cousins but the same issues apply.

I'd deffo have a chat about it before òtherwise you might end up falling out on holiday.

It's just so difficult when it's family. Nobody likes their child being criticised, but he does bully DS. Maybe I'll pass the buck and get DH to say something, tho I'm not sure he will.