A mum has complained about her "judgemental" 13-year-old nephew following numerous "comments" on her parenting.
The woman took to parenting forum Mumsnet to seek advice following the comments, which she stated were in "earshot" of her three-year-old and seven-year-old children.
She revealed that the teenager tells her that her children are spoilt, and posted on Mumsnet to ask how to "put a stop to it".
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The mum wrote: "My 13-year-old nephew often comments on my parenting and it's starting to p*** me off, as he does it in earshot of my kids. He's quite a young 13, and kind of oblivious to other people's feelings, so I'd like some advice as to how to pull him up on it and let him know it's really judgemental and not ok or kind to say what he's saying.
"But I don't want to do it in a way that he feels he's been scolded. I guess I'm worried I'll damage our relationship. Or that I'll just be defensive and clearly take it personally (which I do).
"For example, he'll often tell me my kids are spoilt, right in front of them. I don't think they are, but we live in a bigger house than they do (he is really aware of money and affluence somehow), although we're in a semi regional area so it's actually no more expensive than their place in the city."
She continued: "He just doesn't realise it, and thinks we have loads of money. We don't, but he's mentioned a few times that he wants to do the job my dear husband does because it pays well (in his mind).
"I try and brush it off each time but he has it in his mind that our kids are spoilt and I let them get away with a lot. I don't know why it's getting to me so much, but I'd like to put a stop to it - why he thinks it's ok to be rude like this and judge things he doesn't know anything about.
"I've digressed. Basically, could you give advice on what to say next time he says negative and judgemental things about how I raise my kids? They're seven and three, so often listening and definitely influenced by their big cousin."
Since being posted, dozens of fellow Mumsnet users have shared their thoughts on the situation. There were a range of opinions on the matter from other parents.
"I wouldn’t engage with a 13-year-old on parenting," one simply said.
A second suggested: "Don't be afraid to tell rude and bad mannered children that they are being rude and bad mannered. That’s why there are so many about, no one ever challenges them."
A third agreed: "You are doing your nephew absolutely no favours by being such a doormat. He needs to be told clearly and firmly that he needs to keep his rude comments to himself. Yes, he does need to be scolded."
Meanwhile, a fourth theorised: "Sorry but it really sounds like your nephews parents have been talking about you and your nephew is repeating things that he's heard."
Other users agreed that the woman needed to speak to the boy's parents, with one commenting: "Talk to his parent (whichever one is the sibling) and get them to have a word."
However, some users felt that the woman was being too hard on the teenager, and was "putting too much weight" on his comments.
One stated: "He is 13. As a parent you know he isn’t mature enough to understand. Speak to his parents if it bothers you."
A second echoed: "You're putting too much weight on a teen's throwaway comments. If it really bothers you then speak to their parent about it. If it's not important enough to bring up with your sibling then it's not important enough to worry about."
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