How should I handle this? (8 y/o niece)

[CrazySingleMom]

My niece is a year older than my daughter but seems much more like a teenager than an 8 year old. Her parents are having problems getting her to control her attitude problems. We went to visit for Thanksgiving and my niece has started calling me "old lady". The first couple times it was just a little funny but now its gotten to the point where she is being rude on purpose. At one point she came over to me and said her mom said she could call me "old lady". I doubted that so I said I needed to hear her say it. So I sent my niece over to ask. She did and her dad said she could if "she could handle the consequences". If she were my daughter I would feel more comfortable correcting her but since she isn't mine I am not sure how to handle it. Nothing her parents have tried really works so should I correct her or leave it alone since I don't see her very often.

[mjimaging]

As far as her calling you "old lady" I'd say, my name is and I would appreciate it if you didn't call me old lady. Then I would ignore her if she continues to call you old lady. But beyond that I wouldn't correct her on other things unless her parents have asked for your help.

[M4LG5]

It doesn't matter what any one else says, YOU don't want to be called that.

[othermom]

Quoting mjimaging:

As far as her calling you "old lady" I'd say, my name is and I would appreciate it if you didn't call me old lady. Then I would ignore her if she continues to call you old lady. But beyond that I wouldn't correct her on other things unless her parents have asked for your help.

I agree

[hollydaze1974]

Easy correct her actually, just tell niece that you will only answer to Princess Consuela Banna Hammock. You aren't the bad guy and you've given her something more fun to giggle about. She's not going to be punished and you look less like the sour puss that the family sees you as at this point. Play along and she won't see you in that light anymore

[fauxdeux]

It sounds like she's never had any "consequences" and she needs a good slap in the face.

[auroragold]

They let her call YOU  "old lady"? Okay well shame on them but definitely YOU should not allow her to call you that.

Tell her what names are acceptable and don't respond to any others.

[chinosruca]

Ignore her when she does. Fully ignore her. Do not acknowledge her, do not look at her, do not in any way shape or form respond. No cringing or eye rolling either.... Just IGNORE everything she says and does as if she really isn't there. Only respond when she calls you by your proper name.

Tell her you will not tolerate being called old lady prior to ignoring her or it might not get your point across

[nurbabe82]

 If you don't want to be called that don't allow her to. I would do what some of the others have suggested which is tell her do not call me old lady. Call me this _________. And if she does call you old lady completely ignore her.

[bleumonster]

I would tell her that if she called me Old Lady then I would call her Whiny Baby Brat. Then I would suggest that if she ever wants a gift from me in the future, she will call me Aunt ______.

[Jinx-Troublex3]

Definitely this...ignoring it will not solve anything.

However, was the comment made wiith her intent of being mean?? Or was she playing and joking?

Her dad said, if you can take the consequences..." that tells me he was probably trying to play it off but expected you to step up and put her in her place.

In our family that would have been taken as joking and playing with
each other. My DS tried joking with my mom about being "old"...suddenly the next time ds wanted to do something fun or wanted a treat he heard, "old ladys don't play...old ladys don't give treats.... he never said anything like it again.

Quoting bleumonster:

I would tell her that if she called me Old Lady then I would call her Whiny Baby Brat. Then I would suggest that if she ever wants a gift from me in the future, she will call me Aunt ______.