Thanks to all of you for your input & ideas. Ousted, as for not listening, I mean they blatantly ignore specific things I tell them. For example, I took them to the pool where I live, which also has a hot tub. As we walked by the hot tub, the 8-yr.-old wanted to go in. I told him no, & explained that the hot tub was for adults. One minute later, I look up from opening the umbrella at our table, to find him lounging in the hot tub. I walked over & asked him to repeat what I had told him, & he did. I was like, so why are you in there? Cue big puppy eyes & an "I dunno" as he clambered out. GRRR. I would've asked him if he was deaf, except that he is, & I both signed & spoke to him, lol, & he signed back.

I get what you mean regarding not being vague, & I do try to avoid that. It is just very frustrating when I say specifically not to do something, & they just go right ahead anyway. All I want is to be the cool, fun auntie, yet I end up chasing around after them. Not sure about asking my sis for parenting advice, as this is the way they behave (or don't) with her as well... she obviously hasn't figured anything out.

Likemclever, I like that idea... it gives them the message that I want to have fun with them, but only if they can listen. And Donnie, yeah, that's the hard part... I know eventually they'll grow up & won't be around, so I'm trying to cherish the time we have now when they are young. It's just hard when I am constantly suppressing the urge to shake them, lol.

I guess if nothing else, it's certainly a lesson for if I ever have kids. I realize that if discipline is established from the get-go, it makes everyone's life more enjoyable. Granted, I dream of having bright, creative, free-spirited children (what idealistic non-parent doesn't?), but there has to be some form of structure or they just go wild.
mlleyeuxbleus Reviewed by mlleyeuxbleus on . nephew advice? (sorry, a bit long) So, my sis (stepsis) moved down here last year from Maine, yay! I'm so thrilled to have family nearby, & I love my sis & her two boys, ages 5 & 8. They all actually stayed at my place for 3 months until she got her own nearby. I don't see them everyday as we are both busy with our own stuff, but we see each other regularly. Sometimes she asks me to babysit, & I do whenever I can, of course... I'm helping her out & getting to spend time with my boys, whom I adore. Last weekend they were Rating: 5