Older kids not wanting to play with younger DD

My DS is 5 and DD is 2. When we get together with their cousins who are also 5, they run away from DD. One cousin in particular is quite nasty to DD and is constantly yelling at her and telling her what she can and cant do. IT GETS ON MY NERVES! His parents do nothing about it, just say "stop it be nice" but theres no real guidelines given to him on how to properly behave. Yesterday i reached my boiling point. They were all together and ran away from DD and slammed the door in her face and the nasty cousin locked the door and i could hear him laughing and taunting "you cant come in, you cant come in". My DS said hey open the door and he came out and played with her for a bit so she wouldnt be sad. But i still felt so bad for my DD. She said "mommy how come kids dont want to play with me?". She spent the rest of the day playing alone.

I cant sit thru it anymore im afraid im gonna explode on this kid and then it will cause family drama. Its DHs side of the family. Would you just not get together anymore? At the same time i dont want my kids to not see their family kwim. WWYD?

Message edited 11/16/2014 12:15:59 PM.

Older kids not wanting to play with younger DD

I'm always "that Mom" and IDK. I would sit the entire group of cousins down and read a book about family, including everyone or something to that effect than start an activity that they can all participate in. While they are all playing I would remind them how nice it is to all be a family and be able to play together. If the "nasty child" doesn't want to participate so be it. I would make a point of letting him know that its his choice not to play with the entire group.

Re: Older kids not wanting to play with younger DD

I agree with sitting the kids (grown ups too) and reading a book to address the issue. I would totally recommend Have You Filled a Bucket Today. After reading it, start pointing out (and rewarding) the Bucket Fillers and point out when someone Dips into a bucket. You can also teach them to put "Their Lid on their bucket so no one can dip into it"! This book work VERY well to address issues such as this. There is also a website and you can print up free coloring pages and order bucket filler stickers etc...

Re: Older kids not wanting to play with younger DD

Here is the authors website where you can print up the coloring pages etc...

Website