What would you think, childs behaviour?

Question

i look after my niece every so often but since her mum has had a new partner the little girl has changed. better behaved was a good thing but im a bit worried about her now, the other day when i looked after her she cried when she went to the loo because she pooed and she said she didnt wanna poo,,,a bit odd, then today i looked up2 her and said oh you silly girl youve taken you hairbands out, to which she balled out crying saying dont tell mummy and her new bloke as shed get in trouble, the only was i could calm her down is to say id re-do her hair and i wouldnt tell anyone...2 which she hugged me and said thanx...whats going on at home?...do you think they are being 2 strick or what and what would you do if you found yourself in this situation thanx

Answer 1

?? it could mean anything to be honest.......she could be having a bad day, feeling upset, doesnt like new partner, they bullying her??

not sure what to put

Answer 2

When my daughter was younger and going through a very rotten stage we really became much more strict. She was about 4 or 5 when we pulled the plug on bad behavior. It was such a shock to her at first that we would take things away, give her time out and lecture her on bad behavior that she went through an adjustment period of crying a lot. After awhile she realized we still love her but won't accept certain behaviors.

Maybe the mother is really putting her foot down for a change and her daughter is going through a lot of mixed emotions.

Wait a month and see what happens.

Answer 3

It might just be the fact that their is a new disciplinarian in the house.  But why didn't she want to poo?  That sounds like their MIGHT be some abuse going on.

Is there a local child abuse hotline where you live?  Check some websites to find out what to signs to look for and just watch her.  Then you can decide, based on the signs she shows (or doesn't show) what you should do next.

Answer 4

i think maybe she feels left out. Because her mum's with a new bloke and maybe she thinks her mum doesn't spend as much time with her as she did before she had the new partner

Answer 5

Difficult to answer and it's good to see someone being responsible and worrying when seeing odd behaviour in a young child.

I don't think you need to worry but just keep an eye out for anything funny. Whatever you do, don't make comments about them being too strict or anything - it may just be a passing phase.

Answer 6

Do a surprise visit when everyone is home and least expecting you to come over.  I feel there is abuse of the child going on.  

If you don't feel that you can do the surprise check, then call the authorities.  The child is important.  The fact that she was upset with the #2 is a red flag to my medical profession.  #2 is a bodily function that has to be eliminated routinely for our bodies to work properly.

Somethings going on that isn't right.  As for the hairbands coming out, why would she get into trouble for taking them out?  Maybe they hurt her head.

Please go check this household out before something major happens to an innocent child.

Answer 7

It sounds like they might be getting extreme in discipline. There is really nothing you can do, if you get involved, they may not let you see the niece anymore, after all her parent obviously doesn't have a problem with it. I tried to point out something similar to my sister when she got remarried, I was not allowed to her kids for the rest of their adolescence.

Answer 8

sounds more like abuse to me mabey you should talk to your mom or about it then you guys can sit down as a family and figure out whats going on my sister inlaw ended up taking her anger out on her kids because of a boyfriend luckely she left him before anything realy bad happend good luck  

Answer 9

It could be that there are more strict rules and some punishments (spanking or time outs). It is common that women don't discipline children the same way as men do.  It doesn't automatically mean that she is being abused.  Talk with your niece about what life is like at home and if there is anything she wants to talk about.  Don't show that you are mad at anything she says, even if it's really bad as she will think she has done something wrong.  If after talking with your niece you are still worried for her welfare, talk to other family members and see what they think your next course of action should be.

Answer 10

WHOA. DO NOT assume this is abuse. This could be anything at all or nothing at all! If your concerned, just try and integrate yourself in the family a bit more. You definately need more info before worrying yourself unneccesarily. Drop by with dinner, tell them how much you love spending time with her, etc. Be a more consistant figure in their lives so you can make a better informed opinion on whats going on. Hope it turns out fine.