UrbanBaby - I am dreading spending Thanksgiving with...

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I am dreading spending Thanksgiving with my SIL - or actually with her DD. The child is completely unpleasant and, although she is almost 5, acts like a 2 yr old - with constant temper tantrums, whining, etc. My SIL and MIL think that everything she does is adorable and their lives revolve around constantly photographing her, laughing at her misbehavior and satisfying her demands, which must be done immediately or she will pitch a fit. At family functions, we're all expected to dote on her and admire her constantly. She has no bedtime so we are never free of the little tyrant. I am really dreading getting together but not sure what to do. Any advice?
10 replies
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11.19.09, 04:23 PM [ Flag ]
- stay home with your family.
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  11.19.09, 04:29 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
- don't have kids
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  11.19.09, 04:38 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
  - Not sure of the logic of this response.
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    11.19.09, 04:39 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    - sounds like op does not understand having dc's...or even like...
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      11.19.09, 04:41 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
      - OP - I have a baby. I also have a number of good friends with young children with whom I have spent tons of time (including weeklong vacations). All of these children are better behaved than my SIL's child. I expect kids to be rambunctious, to test limits, to misbehave, to be loud, etc. But she is very rude and treats her mother and grandparents like garbage - and no one says anything.
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        11.19.09, 04:46 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
        
        obviously they do not feel that they are being treated like garbage. this is a set-up for unhappiness and disappointment for the child, parents, and grandparents. Try not to take it to heart.
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        11.19.09, 05:20 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
- well no matter what, you will have to spend time with tyrant baby sooner or later so i would just go. just make a stern face when dd is annoying, so they can tell you're dissatisfied, but don't be super obvious. cuz it sounds like grandma and SIL will complain to DH about any non-lavishing of attention to the kid.
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  11.19.09, 04:49 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
- ignore her. she's just a child.
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  11.19.09, 05:09 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
  - OP - you can't ignore her. One, she is incredibly loud. Two, her mother is constantly forcing everyone to pay attention to her daughter and admire her - I am not joking, she is constantly saying 'look at so-and-so she's dancing isn't she so cute?"
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    11.19.09, 05:13 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
- I could have written this. Took the niece about five years to shape up from when I came on the scene; she was mostly acceptable by age ten. All there is to do in the meantime is smile sweetly and stay out of the crosshairs - no suggestion or comment you make will be appreciated.
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  11.19.09, 05:09 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]