Woman Scolds Nephew For Constant Prank Calls, Gets Berated By Her Brother

Dealing with a sibling’s child can sometimes be a complicated matter. While you are an adult figure expected to provide some form of guidance, there are lines you can’t cross because you’re not their parent. 

This was the cause of a woman’s headache when her nephew pestered her with non-stop prank calls. She sternly told him to cut it out, but it created a rift with her brother, the boy’s father. 

Feeling immensely confused, she wonders if she went too far. Scroll down for the entire text. 

It may not always be a good idea to scold a child, let alone someone else’s

Young boy focused on his phone, wearing a black t-shirt, standing outdoors with buildings in the background.

Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

A woman dealt with the constant prank calls of her nephew, causing her a great deal of distress

Text about unanswered calls from nephew, involving family discipline dynamics.

Text exchange about mistakenly joining a game chat and attempting to leave.

Text message about a sibling disciplining a nephew when asked by the parents during a crucial event.

Woman on phone addressing family discipline issues, holding a laptop in a casual setting.

Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

She ended up scolding the boy, but it backfired on her

Text about phone interruptions affecting work due to lack of discipline by son's father.

Text screenshot about an aunt disciplining her nephew, causing family tension.

A young boy in red sneakers sits sadly against a wall, suggesting family discipline issues.

Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Because of the backlash, she was left confused and wondering if she had done anything wrong

Text questioning discipline and impact on work with confusion, reflecting issues with a sister disciplining her nephew.

Image credits: captainlux87

Being stern towards a child may do more harm than good

Child on a bench being disciplined, covering face with hands as a hand points in reprimand.

Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Those who grew up under “old-school parenting” are way too familiar with receiving punishment. It usually came in the form of a spanking, yelling, and scolding, which the author did, all of which were accepted in the past. 

However, these methods no longer work, and may have been ineffective all along. As educator and author Janet Lansbury explains, children are at an extremely sensitive and intuitive stage where they clearly sense an adult’s feelings and intentions. 

That means they can tell whether a parent is being stern as an act to make a point, or out of genuine anger or annoyance. And regardless of the intention, it makes the child feel perturbed. 

As Lansbury points out in an article for her website, “our overresponse gives our child’s undesirable behavior power.”

“An angry or seething parent is scary, not the confident, solid leader kids need,” she wrote. 

Instead of an all-encompassing approach, Parents.com recommends using age-appropriate discipline tactics. In the story, where the author dealt with a ten-year-old child, talking things out may have been more helpful. 

The woman could have taken a more grown-up approach with her nephew by emphasizing natural consequences. Instead of being stern, she could have sat him down and explained why the constant prank calls were disruptive. 

Pausing and taking deep breaths can also help prevent strong reactions. As Oxford University professor Lucie Cluver tells UNICEF, five deep breaths can help adults hit the “pause button” and respond more calmly. 

The author may have been used to the “old-school” method of dealing with an erring child. Unfortunately, it no longer works, and she will need to adapt. 

The woman answered questions to provide more context to her story

Discussion on brother's parenting style being criticized for lack of discipline; sister intervenes in comments thread.

Reddit comment discussing a brother's poor job disciplining his son, sister steps in. Accusations of being a bad aunt arise.

Reddit comments discussing a situation where a sister disciplines her nephew due to his father's lack of discipline.

Reddit comments discussing disciplinary actions and account violations involving a son prank calling on FaceTime.

Reddit discussion about parenting discipline and school involvement.

Discussion on disciplining a son, aunt takes action, comments exchange advice on contacting parents.

Most readers thought she reacted accordingly

Comment on disciplining children, discussed online with various opinions and advice.

Comment discussing parenting and discipline related to child's behavior.

Text comment discussing brother's reaction to printed phone log and questioning overreaction.

Reddit comment criticizing brother's parenting skills.

Comment discussing lack of discipline for children using unsupervised devices.

Text response discussing a brother not disciplining his kids, with humorous reference to apology letters and no WiFi.

Reddit comment supporting aunt's discipline of nephew, questioning phone need for young kids.

Reddit user comments on brother's lack of discipline toward son, calling sister a bad aunt; supports sister's actions.

Comment on disciplining a son for harassment, suggesting suspension or police involvement.

Text of a comment discussing a nephew's prank calls and parental responsibility.

Online comment discussing nephew's behavior and need for new friends.

Reddit comment criticizing a man's parenting and praising sister's discipline.

But some faulted her and the child’s father

Reddit comment discussing family dynamics in disciplining children, touching on empathy and consequences.

Online discussion about disciplining a child, with users debating the actions of an aunt and criticizing behavior.

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