Niece Without a Childhood

Updated on December 05, 2006
A.R. asks from Bellevue, NE
9 answers

My oldest brother has had many problems since having his daughter. He did gain custody of her when her mother started doing drugs and has had custody since she was at least 6 if not younger. When he married he chose poorly to put it nicely. The step-mother turned into a complete nut and they are now divorced. This divorce and the problems that were going on in the house did a lot of damage to my niece who is now 12. Due to the state stepping in during his marriage my niece was living at my parent's house as they were her "foster parents". The state has since given my brother back custody. Before his divorce was final he started living with his girlfriend who was also recently divorced. We have noticed a lot of remarks and poor behavior from the girlfriend towards my niece. There have been a lot of bad comments about my niece's mother said in front of my niece. The other day my husband overheard a conversation where my brother's girlfriend told my niece that she could go back and live with her mother. I believe that the girlfriend is very jealous of my niece and her relationship with her father. My brother can be a very loving dad and very playful. He doesn't mind my niece hanging on him and enjoys acting like a child right along with her. The girlfriend constantly remarks on this and stops their playing constantly. When my mother MADE my brother dance with his daughter at my other brother's wedding the girlfriend was shooting fire out of her eyes as she watched them. Part of the problems that arose in his marriage was because my brother did not act like a man and did not stand up for the children in the house nor for himself. I believe that he is back doing the same thing but with a different woman. My husband has told me that after the remark about moving back to her mother's house my brother didn't say a word. I told my mother of the conversation and she brought up her own concerns. My niece does not have a mother figure. When she visits her biological mom she ends up babysitting her three siblings. This includes getting up at 1:30 am with her baby brother. No one is buying her clothes, and no one is "mothering" her. How do we bring these concerns up to my brother without causing him to leave and us never seeing my niece again? We have tried to have her stay the night at our house but she gets told that they need her to help with hanging Christmas lights or yard work, but they never end up doing those things. Often times my niece gets stuck eating at the table while everyone else is in the living room. I am really concerned, especially since she is about to be a teenager.

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the advice! I think a lot of the problem with the horrible things happening to children is the fact that no one wants to do anything. Everyone says to leave it alone. No one wants to step in and speak up! My mom had a heart to heart with my brother and I've spoken up a few times regarding the remarks about the biological mother. "Regardless of what you think about her she is her mother and always will be. She loves her mom and those remarks hurt her and hurt your relationship with her." I've also pulled my niece aside and gave her my phone number. We only live five minutes away so if she needs us in an emergency she knows to call. If she can't talk then she knows to let it ring at least twice and then hang up so I do see the number on the caller ID. This way I can show up unexpectedly with a "surprise" for her or something. We also reminded my brother that since she was a ward of the state once that they still will be checking on her and it would be wise not to give them a reason to take her away from him. The next time she may not go to family. I also will make a point of inviting her on any outings we do as a family. Like the zoo, museums, etc. (I'mm make a point of saying that it would give them some ALONE time.) Again, thanks for the advice!

More Answers

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C.M.

answers from Sioux City on

I'm not sure that there is a way to confront your brother. However you can always try, but like you said if he takes off then the only real females your neice knows will be gone. If you feel it gets to be a big enough problem then consider talking to dhs. they can keep it confidential and if your niece is not getting taken care of like she is suppose to be then the best place for her to be is out of the home, but not with her mother either, because that seems to be a little too much responsibilty for a young girl like that. I have a step daughter who came to us because she wasn't being taken care of by her mother and not having clothing that fit her and being neglected really effected her in many ways. not only at home but with the children at school also.
well good luck and i hope you can help her.

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D.W.

answers from Davenport on

Wow!! I understand you concerns!! I feel sorry for your neice!! Sounds like your brother needs a reality check!! I dont know how close you are to your brother but it sounds like you need to sit down and express your concerns with him. These are serious issues! His daughter was there first and his girlfriend needs to realize that!! If she cant except his daughter then she needs to go!! Maybe try introducing your brother to someone of better nature. Sounds like he needs pointed in the right direction when it comes to women.

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A.V.

answers from Missoula on

Hi, A.. It sounds like your brother refuses NOT to have a woman in his life. It sounds as if no one in this situation is happy, but are there for the company. Your brother needs to realize that he HAS a child & that child is HIS responsibility. He is supposed to protect that child, nurture that child, and make that child feel loved. It sounds like your poor niece is not getting any of this from either of her parents. I know this is a touchy subject to bring to your brother's attention, but this little girl's future is at stake. He may not see the things going on with his current girlfriend...and it may be because he does not WANT to see them. Don't attack him, but this issue must be addressed before this girl looks to another boy her age for the things she is not receiving from her father. Maybe your mom could talk to him. Whoever the most influential person in your brother's life is would most likely need to be the one to bring this to his attention. Good luck. I know it's a tough one...maybe the best place for her is with her grandparents...where she can feel loved & protected...even if it's not necessarily the easiest thing.

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K.B.

answers from Billings on

You are going to have to show your brother a little Tough Love get the daughter over to your house and then call your brother and first tell him not to try anything stupid or you will get CPS involved even if you really wouldn't just tell him that. Then tell him that until he can grow-up and have some balls and BE A MAN and deal with the girlfriend and stand up for him self and his daughter that she is not going to come home and then tell him all of your concerns If that don't work then take it to the next level that girl needs a mother figure and a father figure in her life or unfortunately she will turn out like her mother and report the mother that is not right what she is making that girl do that girl deserves better

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J.F.

answers from Boise on

hi A., i also have a brother that was left to raise a little girl all on his own. even though he has stayed single the entire time it has been very difficult for him. i think one of the most important things to do is to get yourself into her life as quickly as possible. i'm not sure if you live near them at all, but maybe you could talk to your brother and tell him that you would love to have another girl in the house every once in a while, to have someone to talk to! if he doesn't agree right away, bring up the point that you could talk to her about girl stuff, like periods, training bras, and stuff like that. if he hears that he doesn't have a "first period talk" with her, he's sure to jump on that. it sounds like he is a loving father that really WANTS to do what is best for his daughter, but is kinda cluless as far as what that means. maybe he thinks that ANY woman in her life is better than NO woman, but is actually bringing destructive women into her life. i think that as her aunt you can really have a possitive influence on her. my neice is now 19 and is really well adjusted. she has gone through all the issues that normal teens do, but she has come through them and is truly a joy to be around. good luck!

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S.P.

answers from Great Falls on

As much as you want to help, the best you can do is support his decisions. It's hard to watch a younger sibling make mistakes without trying to correct him or her but he has been the father and the teen seems very good, with no bad behaviors. That shows he's done a good job with her. I wouldn't try to interfere. Good Luck.

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C.R.

answers from Missoula on

Hey,
The advice I would have is approach your brother, do it non-judgementally and just pose all the evidence to him. Explain to him that your niece is blood and that bond can never be erased and should not have to be because of some immature woman. It is so sad when a so called adult reign terror over a fresh new life that needs guidance and support. If only there was some way to make your brother understand his daughter needs him, the "adult" woman should not. She had after all been through her adolescence. Just approach him in a kind way trying to make him realize a little bit of the pain and anguish his own flesh and blood is experiencing. I know this probably is not too helpful. I am horrible at giving advice when the subject makes me so upset. My first instinct is annhilate the woman, just kidding, but really she is supposed to be the adult in this situation. Can she be approached? Well just know that my prayers are with your niece. C.

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M.S.

answers from Sioux City on

Sounds like the Girlfriend is jealous of your niece. If your brother won't stand up for her then someone else should. Someone needs to put the girlfriend in her place and make it clear that if she wants your brother, she needs to accept the whole package. If your niece is treated badly and knows her own father will not stand up for her, just think of what her adulthood would be like. She might marry an abusive man (physical or maentl) and just take it. She won't stand up for herself and her family won't either. It sounds like she would be better off with you, but you need to put your foot down for her and say, ENOUGH!
M. S.

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A.B.

answers from Lincoln on

I am so sorry to hear this!! There is no need to make children feel this way and it makes me angry to know that there are children out there in this situation! I think that if you go to your brother and get angry then the situation will be even worse for your niece. I think that maybe there is a need to get the state involved again. You can call in a request to the state and tell them that you think that she is being neglected and you don't have to tell them your name! Even if it makes people more aware of the situation that is what you want...the state will contact the teachers and doctors and other people to investigate. I think that will help to have people looking into their family and at that time your niece can tell them what she thinks. She is old enought to choose what she wants to do. Maybe talk to her before and see how she is feeling toward the whole thing. Good Luck I will be thinking of your family!!

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