She used to be such a sweet child, but ever since she started secondary school she’s turned into someone I don’t recognise.
She’s 12, I’m her 35-year-old aunt and until now we were close.
As my daughter is the same age, most days I drop her off and pick her up from school.
Recently she’s grown an attitude.
Every time she gets in the car she has her head stuck in her phone, and refuses to say anything unless she’s making rude remarks about me and my daughter.
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I’ve tried my best to hold my tongue but now she often swears at me, and I sometimes catch her sticking up her middle finger in the rear-view mirror.
It’s taking all the strength I have not to shout at her and I’m not sure how much more I can take.
DEIDRE SAYS: You have done well not to lose your temper. Blowing up at her won’t help, but it’s important that she understands her behaviour is unacceptable.
Find a quiet time to talk to her about how her actions are making you feel and that you want it to stop.
Talk to both your niece and her parents and explain that if her behaviour doesn’t improve you won’t be able to pick her up or drop her off from school.