what can i do about my in laws who verbally abuse my neice/their granddaughter?

Question

i have already said something to my husband about his parents being rude to our neice. he said he will say something to them the next time, but everytime we are over there he tends to zone out and not even pay attention to what is going on. my husband has talked to the girl's mother who is his sister, but she doesn't do anything either or when she does say something to her parents it falls on deaf ears. it pains me to see that this young child is being shunned and treated rudely. example: i was teaching her how to knit and she went and showed her grandmother and in a dramatic and sarcastic tone she said, "well, whoopee". i was very bothered by that because this girl is only ten years old and she was doing very well. i personally was offended because i felt as tho she was blowing off our skills because she doesn't know how to knit. this girl isn't an angel, but she behaves well with me because i respect her, but they don't. i don't have a personal relationship with his parents.

also my in laws are very dramatic and blow things way out of proportion

when i say verbally abusive they are curse at her, bully her, etc.

Answer 1

its mental abuse, she will grow up with low self esteem. It seems like maybe her mom is scared of her parents (grandparents) of this child. It just seems like they don't like their granddaughter because they don't like her father. which i mean the child's father.so they get back at the poor girl, i hope you continue being kind to her always.

Answer 2

Ok here is what you do.

In specific detail write down everything they say and do and how you and the little girl feels.

Keep this in a notebook safe and in a private spot that only you and your niece knows where it is.

Ok and take your niece to social services with the notebook and tell them what is going on or to the police.

She needs to be removed from that situation IMMEDIATELY it will only get worse and might excalate to physical abuse.

She is being verbally and emotionally abused.

So report them IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait another day.

Make sure to have those situations written down as back up and each and everytime (no matter how short or long) write the events down.

If you are with her and they act mean, then take your niece and leave the house immediately.

But report them.

Answer 3

saying "whoopee" probably wouldn't be considered abusive in a court of law, but people would probably think "wow this woman acts like she is five years old!"

there isn't a law against acting like a five year old.

if you are concerned for your neice, perhas you can spend more quality time with her?

another thing you can do, out of the clear, blue sky is tell this little girl "hey, if you ever need someone to listen, i have good ears".... she will remember this, and perhaps come to you if she has an issue.

it's nice you are open to her and doing things for and with her now. she will remember your kindness and probably turn to you for future love and support.

take care

i am editing because i wanted to add that verbal abuse would be telling the child they are no good, can't do anything right, are ugly, stupid, unworthy, etc... you can find more information by doing a yahoo search on emotional abuse or on verbal abuse.