Sorry this is a little bit long..
my nephew and I have a really close bond and he will talk to me about any issues he has. He's come to me a few times about hating living at home because his mum (my sister) yells at him all the time, he's also said to me once before "maybe it would have been better if I was never born" this broke my heart and I have been keeping a close eye on him ever since and I always make sure I tell him how much I love him, I could have told his mum but she would just get angry at him for "saying such stupid things".
A few days ago he became very upset while he was talking to me and said that his mum had asked him to do something and he thought he had done it right but his mum got angry at him because it was wrong and grabbed him by the neck and threw him on his bed, I spoke with him about it and organised for him to have a sleepover at my place to get him away for a bit.
My issue is though that I have no proof, my nephew won't speak to anyone else about it and I've thought about going to authorities but my sister will just lie her way out of it as she has with other things in the past. I've written everything down that my nephew has told me but if I go to authorities and nothing happens about it my sister will stop me from seeing my nephew and that means I won't be able to be there for him. I'm just after any advice on what to do from here thanks
2 Replies
I think the best outcome is for the boy to be with his mum but the relationship improves. First step is working on that. Maybe a serious chat with her will help. Doubt it, she probably is already aware that shouting isn't ok. Does she have help and support? Is she stressed, tired, overworked, depressed? Have you offered to help her get to parenting classes or mums meetings or doctors or whatever she needs, she might need moral support, financial, logistical, I guess if you're against her she won't ask you, does she have other family that you could suggest go over and talk to her instead.
There's a few warning signs in here of a mother who's clearly not coping, by the way you speak of her I assume she's a single mum?
She's probably well aware and ashamed of her parenting skills (or lack there of).
The best way to help the little boy is to help his mum, you may need to have a very frank discussion with her about what your nephew has told you and let her know it can't continue but your willing to do anything to help. I think suggesting some parenting programs and a trip to her gp to discuss her mental health would be a good start.