I have 5 sons and I expect each of them to treat other people of ALL AGES with respect. If any of my children behaved like this 16 year old boy, they would be punished. All of my sons are childfree adults now. They each treat other people's children with kindness.

No where does it say he's forced to talk to her. I absolutely dislike being around kids and/or having to talk to them. But that means that I'll smile, say a sentence, or two and then either redirect them to someone else, or make an excuse why I have no time now and have to leave the room (like he goes to the kitchen, just without even acknowledging her existence). This costs seconds and I'm free from the interaction. No near adult should think that the absolute minimum of effort is already too much to deal with stuff that you don't like, especially, ESPECIALLY, if it involves hurting someone otherwise!

I agree with what you are saying. We understand small children want attention, as she should, and as she needs. Walking away from someone you are not interested in being around is not actively cruel. Because it hurts her feelings that she doesn't get what she wants, is resulting in the child's family pressuring the other young child to spend time with her. When is it all right to force a relationship? Yes, it would be *ideal* if at his age & stage of maturity, he'd take a few moments to acknowledge her & spare some kindness to her. But even in animal families, the least cruel way to escape a sibling or any othernunwanted play attention is to quietly get up and walk away. The rest of the family/relatives who have more maturity & generousity of spirit/patience should be addressing the smaller child's needs, not expecting the older child to tolerate what he is TRYING TO MAKE CLEAR - without physically pushing or telling her go away - that he can not.

People like you are exactly what’s wrong with society at the moment. Narcissistic and worthless people who screech about their feelings while discounting other humans when they don’t agree with your screwed up world view.

Where does it say he did everything in his power? Or anything else at all? If he can't even defend himself from a fricking toddler without hurting said toddler, he has way bigger problems than just having to see a 4 yo every other weekend.

Walking away ftom a situation he is uncomfortable with, for whatever reason, is not hurting her. It is not giving her the attention she wants. There are others to provide it. He too is a child and has no real way to express HIS unhappiness or discomfort with the situation. Walking away is a LONG way from secretly pinching her, pushing her, telling her to get lost. Of course ideally he'd be more tolerant, maybe will be as he ages. But for now, the only escape in his control is removing himsrlf.

Actually four year olds will remember something like this especially if a memory has strong emotional ties. Nobody asked this kid to be responsible for the little kid, but socializing with your cousins is standard in any family. Behaving like that sixteen year old is definitely not.

"actually 4 year olds will remember some random cousin 12 years older then you and how they didnt look at my drawing"

I disagree, goldyy. Just because someone may not remember unkindness or cruelty doesn't make it okay. Asking a 16 year old for minimal, kind interaction once in a while isn't "suffering", it's called being a decent member of a family.

This is a horrible take, goldyy and I would be embarrassed if I raised you and you just said that. Seriously, its okay he is unkind to a child who only wants to show her big cousin her drawing...b/c that makes him "suffer"? You can not be serious and I have no idea how you even typed that with a straight face.

I would be embarrassed to take you out in public aria sheez do you have any empathy for teens or do you only see whos "obviously" in the "wrong" Its annoying to him and he shouldnt have to praise some kid that could be praised by their own damn parents not to mention he doesnt like kids

Oh, the embarrassment of taking someone in public who respects others!! I dont give two flying figs what is "annoying" to him...he is old enough to behave in a polite manner despite being "annoyed"...it is called learning maturity. He is almost an adult and there is no excuse for this, despite folks like you so eager to make them.

respects others but ridicules my mother who has nothing to do with me. he shouldnt have to change himself for a child who isnt his who he said he didnt like.

I am not "ridiculing" anyone...but if she is the one who taught you that it is okay to act disrespectful and ugly towards someone only due to their age, that absolutely deserves criticism. You have to learn that you are not going to "like" everyone and everything. Your not "liking" people because of their age does not give you the green light to disrespect them if they have not done anything to you. And yes, rudely turning your back and walking away whilst someone is speaking is very disrespectful. I am sorry you were not taught that basic point of manners, but there it is.

Poster is making an analogy that they are treating the teen like a monster for wanting to be left alone and not interact with a toddler.

@SuperDark: You will get downvoted (and rightly so) because most disagree with callousness and blatant disrespect to others...no matter the age they happen to be at the time. Most were raised to treat others with basic decency if they have not give you a reason to do otherwise. Ignoring someone and walking away as they are speaking to you is disgusting behavior, even toward a young one. I am glad neither one of you are having children, to be raised by people that think this type of behavior is acceptable would be a GREAT detriment to them. Enjoy the ban.

It really isn’t disgusting behaviour. It may be rude, unnecessary, even a little sad, or it may be appropriate according to circumstance. Here I think it’s not great, but condemnation would only reinforce the behaviour i think. Please don’t tell me that you really believe you’ve never been a jerk and hurt someone’s feelings at some point.

Yes, it is disgusting. Telling you dont think so. And of course I have hurt someone's feelings in life, we ALL have, but I do not do INTENTIONALLY and KNOWINGLY. That is the difference. He knew he was hurting the little girls feelings, his sister told him so. He made excuses for it ( I am "child free" so it is ok) so he knowingly treated her disrespectfully. That is disgusting behavior. Period.

@aria. I doubt he even thought about it in that way. And no, you can’t “tell “ anything about me simply because we disagree. And no, writing “period“ does not make you right. Have a great day Aria

If you think it's ok to call a six year old a "crotch goblin" you deserve to be banned. That's just nasty.

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@peppy aw c’mon. Don’t tell me there wasn’t a little snigger at the back of your mind….