Why is my youngest niece scared around me?

Question

I have two nieces, one is six years old and the youngest one is three years old. My oldest niece loves me to pieces and always runs to me when I come visit my sister. However, the youngest one always runs to the room and hides under the blankets. When I try to talk to her or get close she cries like there is no tomorrow! Ever since she was a baby, I could never seem to hold her more than a few seconds before she would start crying. This doesn't happen with the oldest niece nor with my other nephew who is one year old. I am always around so it's not that she doesn't know who I am. The only times she will get close to me or be around me are when my mom or sister tell her to. So, in order to keep her from crying or running away, when I come to my sisters house, I don't talk to her or even look at her ( I know it sounds bad, but its the only way to keep her from running away from me). What upsets me the most is that with any other stranger, she is fine. I know it's not anxiety or fear or anything about kids going through a phase because she is now three year old. I am concerned that I may not be able to bond with her as I bond with my other nieces and nephews. Any advice? Please, don't answer for the sake of answering and no smart-*** remarks either. Thanks!

Answer 1

Her mother is the only one who can solve this mystery; perhaps there is something about you that scares her, something you're not even aware of. In any event, since you have no idea what the reason is, it is up to her mother to find out and then you can resolve whatever it is.

Answer 2

Everyone has that "creepy uncle" maybe you are hers....im kidding. Some children just have stranger anxiety. My sister growing up & to this day has always been nervous & anxious around men.

Answer 3

hmmm. this is a hard one. maybe when you go over to you sisters house play with the older neice (6) infront of the younger one, maybe she'll get jealous that she isnt getting attention and she will warm up to you. or like someone else said try giving her stuff she likes, toys etc. it could just be a phase. i used to be afraid of michael jackson when i was a little kid haah.

Answer 4

some kids are just scared of people. i used to babysit a a little boy and when my cousin would come around, he would burst into tears. we don't know why. whenever we said his name (jeremy) he would start crying and say, "no, i don't want jeremy!" it was weird. he grew out of it when he was about five-ish, and hopefully your niece will too! the only thing i can think to do is have your oldest niece try to talk to her about it.

Answer 5

Well she is three, so maybe she will grow out of it soon.

Don't worry.

Try giving her things she will like.

Like toys, candy, anything.

Answer 6

well if I was you man, I would just talk to your Sister or Mother about and tell them how it makes you feel. I hope that it works out for you man, God Bless