How can I help my 5-year-old nephew?

talk to her tell her to stop and maybe stay a few days there with them and sort this out and also talk to some professional children abuse clinics and they will also keep an eye o the situation. we dont need another baby p xx

Maybe your sister isnt realizing what she is doing and what it looks like to someone else. I suggest you video tape it or something and then show it to her. It may help her realize what she’s doing. Worth a try…

i know i need to do that but we already have family problems with her. she won’t even talk to my mom because my mom told my sister that she doesn’t like how my sister yells at him. and this was like when he was 2 or 3. i don’t want to cause any problems but deep down in my heart i know i have to do something. and the thing is… im only 17. i just don’t want to have any more problems

You should talk to your sister. Forewarning … she will probably get defensive. If she doesn’t promise to stop then you should contact protective services to step in.

Offer to babysit him a lot and be a place he can come to. My husband went through a lot when he was little and he is closer to his aunt than his mom. His aunt was always (and still is!) there for him.

I recommend you contacting your local department for children and families–that’s the best method of intervention if a young child, as you suggest, is being harmed (physically and or psychologically). No child should ever have to endure abuse at the hands of anyone–if parents have problems (face it–we’re human, we all do) then they should find a safe and effective coping mechanism and until then, the child should stay under protective custody until DCF determines otherwise. Keep us updated. -S

I recommend you contacting your local department for children and families

No question you need to help him,& there are several ways to. 1st,you need to make sure your nephew knows that you&your home are safe havens for him,& that not only will you never hit him but that he can tell you anything in confidence.Offer to babysit or have him @ your house more often.Next you need to tell someone-don’t tell someone unless you think they can help,or else you’ll end up as gossip fodder,which won’t help him.Call your local family/child health center,law enforcement agency,or center for victims of abuse & they can help you as well.I don’t know if confronting your sister will help she might be defensive,but if you think you can get through to her maybe it will.She may have been a victim of abuse herself at some point so maybe you could go on that & explain that if she was,she’d know how painful it is & would never want her son to go through the same thing.If you see your sister abusing him, call 911 immediately,I know she is your sister but remember he is a defenseless child & that chilhood abuse will only set him up for problems later in his life.