Mean relative. How does one handle this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^you're right. Doesn't love her; only sees her as the daughter of someone she hates (the mom).
The worst part about all of this is that you couldn't find a sweeter, more generous and selfless 10YO if you tried. That child is a precious gem with a wonderful nature. She has never behaved badly in all the time i've spent with her.

Unfortunately in these kinds of situations, a sweet little kid turns into mom/stepmom/dad/stepdad's weapon against another adult or personal (emotional or physical) punching bag. Sounds like this kid is it. And you're the one who has to step in and help her out. You'd rather her look back on her childhood in years to come and say with admiration that her aunt ___ was one tough lady who didn't take crap from my messed up stepmom. this kid needs a strong female role model, and you're now in the position to be that role model. go for it.

[Anonymous]

I feel for you OP. Please help those children. I need to help my niece. Her mother is abusive too. She told her to shut up at my nephew's baptism and was even meaner to her afterwards at the lunch. I'm going to try to talk to my brother about it, but he'd rather save his bacon than defend his daughter. She is definitely going to be a screwed up kid...she already doesn't act normal. She's 3 and I've never gotten a hug from her.