Parenting for my niece

[Anonymous]

This really strikes a nerve with me. My parents disapprove of many of my brother and SIL’s parenting choices but don’t dare say anything directly so they try to put me in the middle. I hate it. Don’t be that person, OP.

[Anonymous]

There are kid events and kid socializing that happens in the evening, OP. I have several friends whose kids take long naps and are up until 9 or later. It didn’t work for me — I’m a morning person and my kids want to be out of the house by like 7 — but I fully understand that it’s fine. No or limited talking at 18 months isn’t a big delay. Both my kids were late talkers and frankly I didn’t have the energy to fight with EI when I didn’t think it was going to be necessary and it wasn’t. I think you’re projecting your experience with both your children’s sleep schedules and special needs onto your niece and need to step back a bit.

[Anonymous]

Leave them alone. Looking back, we pushed for speech therapy that young and while our child had significant long term speech issues I don't think the ST did much of anything. Waiting till age two makes more sense.

[Anonymous]

The sleeping til noon sounds weirder than the speech.
I have two boys who did not speak at all. The oldest did EI for speech and the youngest did not. Both started talking right before 3 and only sparingly. They're both in elementary now and completely normal.

[Anonymous]

Offer advice and suggestions when asked. And only when asked.

Otherwise MYOB.