Little Niece Keeps Destroying My Son's Toys - AITA For Scolding Her?

Establishing limits with kids can be tough, especially when it involves children or family members. Parents and caregivers often struggle to balance discipline and caring, particularly when dealing with destructive behavior.

Children, especially at a young age, test restrictions and learn from their environment. How caregivers respond to these situations can significantly impact their development and relationships.

Setting clear rules and limits is crucial when it comes to children playing with each other's belongings. When kids don't understand why they can't play with certain toys, it can lead to anger and resentment.

Finding ways to talk patiently and teach children about understanding and obligation can help prevent these situations. Some parents choose to model good behavior and provide alternative toys for their children to play with, while others may set strict rules about sharing and taking care of others' belongings.

OP's anger boiled over when her young niece repeatedly destroyed her son's toys by biting them. The situation escalated quickly, as OP scolded her, and the brother intervened in an unexpected way.

OP felt justified in setting rules, while OP's brother seemed more concerned with his daughter's feelings. The tension between OP and her brother has grown, with their parents already taking sides.

Read the OP's full story below and decide your verdict afterwards.

And the OP begins her story...

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She would bite pieces of foam off of the mats and leave bite marks in them

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OP's brother came into her room and got in her face angry

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Each time the OP tells her to leave her son's toys alone, she asks her why

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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the AH:

I scolded my niece and have stopped her from playing with my sons toys. I scolded a child that is not my own.

Let's head into the comments section and find out what other Redditors have to say about the story

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Suddenly the cost matters and he doesn't want to pay?

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The OP says she's looking for a new job

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This Redditor doesn't recall that being a thing

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OP left the price of the toys in the comments and here it is...

My son really loved those balls, when we got there he immediately tried playing with one of the destroyed balls and he sat on the floor and cried because it no longer bounced or rolled.He seems to think money grows on trees when it's something he didn't get. I paid 12.99 for the pack of ball pit balls and $44 for the foam mats, but no they're just some cheap a** ttoys

This is basic for a little child to learn

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It's crucial to consult a doctor

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It's reasonable to tell a child not to chew on stuffs

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If he doesn't, some other kid will

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OP is frustrated with the destruction of her son's toys, but the approach taken may have escalated the situation. Her brother's reaction to what the daughter did is uncalled, as he didn't have to call it a bunch of cheap a** toys.

According to many Redditors, a 4-year-old child is old enough to know what she's doing if told and carefully explained to. By taking away the toys and scolding the niece, OP may have inadvertently created more tension as her parents had picked sides with her brother.

In all, the OP was declared not the AH, and that's a wrap.