Mother neglecting her son?

Question

My sister who lives on the same block of land as me, but in a different house, has a 7 year old son.

About 2 or 3 weeks ago, my sisters boyfriend moved into the house with my sister and her son.

It has become apparent over this time that she is putting her personal life ahead of her son, and I for one think it's wrong.

He basically gets no attention from his mother. She constantly yells at him for the smallest infringement (come on, he's 7 years old!), and does not spend time with him at all... she spends all her time with the new boyfriend.

Just today, when he came home from school, he immediately came over to my house, teary eyed, and he said that he got yelled at over asking for a drink. Later on, he had to come over here to get help with homework, which took him 10 minutes, so his mother coulndn't even sit down with him for 10 minutes!

I'm concerned how this will effect him.

How can I tell my sister about her action,s in a way that won't results in arguing/fighting??

Answer 1

have her son stay overnight at your house or just at your house way more often and see if she notices.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, I did this with my first child.  I just met this guy, and I thought I was trying to put all my life together.  I wasn't trying to purposely put my child on a back burner.  Now, twelve years later and 5 more kids later, my first child and now my husband do not get along very well.  Best advice I can give you is to talk with her.  If this boyfriend loves her, he will love her son too, and include them BOTH in his life.  Otherwise, the jealousy comes, and they both will always be vying for her attention.  It really makes it hard on everybody.  If they all can't get along, then maybe pointing it out to her now may save her from a life of constant conflict.  (which it already sounds that way-if her son is getting yelled at for the smallest things, then it sounds like her boyfriend may be a control freak and she's trying to be careful, pleasing him to keep the peace)  Keep talking to her about it, but not confrontational talks.  And, keep on the watch.  I would not call Social Services unless there is the first sign of physical abuse.  Maybe some one needs to talk with the sister AND the boyfriend and how it is affecting the son.  Good luck.

Answer 3

It's a new relationship and a lot of times that is what happens.  Remember being a teenager when your best friend got a boyfriend and you were put on the back burner?  It will pass.  She might not realize what she is doing.  Just sit her down and tell her that you realize she might not be aware of this and that you understand that she is in a new relationship and then enumerate what is happening with her son.  Let her know that he is feeling left out.  If she really is a good mother, she will take control of the situation.

Answer 4

Tell her!!!

Answer 5

You have to call Child Protective Services. Calling them will not mean that your nephew will be taken away, but maybe that the family will get the help that they need to pull their family together. If you do not report and the neglect goes on, you will feel worse that you did not report.

Answer 6

talk to her or ask her if maybie to take pressure off he r,you pick him up from school and help him with homework ect

good luck

Answer 7

I think before calling child protective services, you should tell your parents or someone you trust about the things you've been noticing and confront her together about her neglect towards her son. And if still things don't change, take action.

Answer 8

Try to talking to her and see if she is stressed out or something.  Perhaps there is some underlining problem that is going on.  Try not to accuse.  Try just to talk about things.  Say that you are a little concerned.

Give it a few days or a week.  Then if the problem is still as bad then perhaps enlist a friend or family member to help with the situation.

Answer 9

u should b concerned. what ur sister is doin is worng. whather u try to aviod it or not theirs goin 2b fightin u need 2 tell ur sister 2 grow up an start takin care of her son