Do your nieces and nephews fear you?

 Most people would want to be the cool aunt or uncle but this doesn’t always work out how we expect it to. We picture how we’ll be that awesome relative who nephews and nieces can admire and confide in, only for it to backfire.

You might be trying to get your nephews and nieces to love and respect you but end up doing way too much. And there are simple ways to tell you’re that relative who they are terrified of if they behave in these five ways:

Their demeanour changes around you

Observe how they behave around other people and how they do whenever you’re around them. Do they shift from being happy and playful when they’re talking to someone else and suddenly become closed off when they’re talking to you?

If they seem a bit scared when they’re next to you, it’s probably because they are. They might also just give short, direct answers if you’re having a conversation.

They never approach you willingly

You might also be too harsh on them if they use every opportunity to avoid you. They might approach you shyly when they have to say hi to you at family gatherings but that’s it.

The only other time they might try to approach you is when they’ve been sent by someone to tell you something. You will get that feeling that they will only choose to interact with you if they absolutely must but never willingly.

They don’t like playing with you

This will be very evident if your nieces and nephews are small kids. Children are usually more straightforward so you will be able to tell that they’re relaxed around you if they like playing with you.

If there were times when you would try and initiate a game with them and they ran away or seemed shy and disinterested, it’s because they don’t see you as someone fun.

They already subconsciously see you as a disciplinarian and not someone who they can have fun with.

They have made subtle comments about your strictness

Kids can also make comments openly because they aren’t always concerned about being discreet. They don’t get easily embarrassed the way adults do and they might even say crazy remarks in public.

You can tell you’ve been very harsh with them if they ask questions like, ‘why are you always angry?’ or ‘why doesn’t uncle or auntie smile?’

Through those comments, you can tell how they perceive you. You should try and loosen up a bit so that they stop being afraid of you.

They don’t call or text you

If they are already old enough to have a phone and they stopped talking to you, it’s a sign too. Even kids these days have phones as well and since they don’t have many people to text or call, they will think of someone who they’re comfortable with like their favourite auntie.

You will hear of how they have been keeping in touch with other people but notice that they rarely communicate with you.