The Question:
I am a divorced 43 years old woman with 3 children. Should I say to my brother not to interfere in my life?
I am a divorced 43 years old woman with 2 sons and 1 daughter. I have a 29 year old brother who is very strict with my kids who live only a few blocks from the house. He is strict with my children regarding studies, discipline, neatness, manners and just recently he scolded my daughter who is 18 years old because she came late from a party at 2 in the morning. My daughter got angry and told me that her uncle doesn’t have any rights to interfere in our lives. I know that my brother loves me and my children, he is the one who was there with me when I was divorced, but do you think it is wrong of him to interfere in my life and my childrens life as they are old now. Should I say to my brother not to interfere in my life? What would you do if you were in my place, would you say to your brother not to interfere in your life?
My Response:
Dear Sister and Mother;
I think that you are a grown women, and I think that your brother only wants what is best for your children, but if you feel that your brother is interfering just a little too much in their lives then you have every right to tell him to back off a little. Sit down with your brother and explain to him that you are grateful to have him has a brother, and that you are grateful for him being there for you through the divorce but that you feel he is acting too tough with your children. You do not mind him giving you his opinion but you need for him to back off just a little and let you handle your children on your own. Tell him he is a great uncle and brother but that the children are feeling like he is trying to almost replace their dad in their lives. Don’t take it the wrong way if he replies to you harshly, he might take this in the wrong way, but if he’s the brother you are portraying him to be (caring and loving) then he’ll get over it. It is your life and your children’s lives and if he is trying to discipline them, that is your job and your job alone. Just sit down with him and tell him how you feel, I’m sure he will understand. Just don’t feel bad telling him, this is your life and your children’s lives, you have every right to tell him to just back off a little. I have a brother, and if I was in your shoes, I would tell him in the kindest ways I know how to just back off a little, and I am sure he would understand.
xo
kristin nicole
I found this question on Answers.Yahoo.com
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