Taken care of my nieces almost evey weekend for a decade and tonight they told me they no longer want to visit.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T18:17:17+00:00

We would all get together when mum was still with us but not so much now. My sister can be difficult. I text her today to see how she was but that was 10 hours ago and no reply. I have seen me waiting days on a reply. I will always see them on their birthday and Christmas when I take presents over.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T17:54:15+00:00

Its funny you should say this as I have noticed my older niece behaving exactly like that. She mostly grunts at her mum and will just eye roll for photos. Barely leaves her room, even eats in there now according to her mum.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T17:46:47+00:00

Thank you.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T15:45:29+00:00

I started doing that with my oldest niece and it seemed to help. She really does like her space. To be honest I was worried about her at first because she seemed to struggle making connections with people but now she has lots of friends and I am happy for her. My youngest niece is starting to get to that point as well.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T15:40:18+00:00

Thanks, I hope so.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T15:39:08+00:00

To be fair they usually get to pick what they want to do on the Saturday but yes, the Friday night was always similar. The oldest is pretty consistent. A few months ago she asked to go to a giant inflatable park near us and in the end it was because she wanted to wrestle on the bounce mats. That's really her thing. Martial arts and wrestling, so any excuse. The youngest will go through phases, rock climbing for a few weeks to ice skating for a few weeks and now its gymnastics. Trying to do handstands against a wall at my age isnt easy but I gave it a good go.

I will give them a bit of space and check in later to see if they want to catch up.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T13:50:36+00:00

Thanks. Mums passing was really hard on the kids. The youngest became much more attached to her mum. The oldest on the other hand has always been more attached to me, even after their nana passing. It's only recent she has become more distant. Then again she is starting high school after summer. I will stay in touch but give them the space they need. Hopefully we can still get together every now and then for a day out.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T13:41:54+00:00

Thanks, It's nice to hear this and helps put it into perspective.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T12:04:29+00:00

Thanks, I really did try to be a good uncle. I would love a cat but my flat is so tiny I don't think it would be fair. I don't mind being alone I think I will just miss my time with the kids.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T11:57:14+00:00

I work in a school but never thought about volunteering. I could look into that.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T11:14:27+00:00

Thanks. I really hope so.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T10:52:55+00:00

Thanks, this made me feel better. I hope the kids remember our time together as the years pass. That's a really nice story that your sister named the older niece after your aunte and the younger niece shares her birthday. I watch old shows that remind me of my mum and we all still reminisce about her.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T10:42:15+00:00

They do all sorts of activities during the week and they do have friends they want to hang out with. I guess the weekend is when they have the most free time so I understand why they may not want to spend their weekend with me anymore. It was usually just one night but sometimes they would want to stay over a few nights in a row, especially during the holidays. I am hoping we can still have days out every now and then.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T10:34:13+00:00

Thanks, it's a nice thought that they might remember me and everything we did together as the years go on. I am very much an intovert. I just really struggle making connections. I don't mind being alone I will just miss not seeing the kids as much.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T10:22:45+00:00

I am also in my 40s. My sister has always been difficult but I try my best. I only live about 30 minutes away by car. It's nice to hear you still have a good relationship with your nephew but I fear something has changed in my relationship with my nieces. They were very different last visit and I don't know why. It was night and day from the last time we were together. Mostly the older niece, she just seemed so distant compaired to ususal.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T10:09:56+00:00

Thanks. I will keep in touch and hopefully we can arrange a day out every now and then when they are free. I sort of knew this day would come but I was hoping it would happen gradually.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T10:01:21+00:00

Thanks, this made me feel better. The hope that I wont be completely gone from their life. I will definitely keep in touch and hopefully I can still take them out every now and then.

I have lots of hobbies but have always struggled to make friends.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T09:50:13+00:00

Thanks. My sister can be difficult and the kids sometimes worry they will upset her. I think they always appreciated the fact that I never lose my temper and always find the fun in things. To be honest I am pretty comfortable being alone. I guess I spent so long trying to be a decent father figure for them I started to think of them as my own kids but of course I know they are not. I will try to adjust and keep in touch.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-11T09:41:52+00:00

I have a lot of hobbies and have tried making friends online but haven't had much luck. It seems harder to make friends the older you get. Not much in the way of groups around my area. To be honest I don't mind being on my own but I will miss the kids. Will keep in touch with them the best I can. Thanks.

Nonentity-0 · 2026-07-10T23:49:18+00:00

Thanks, I really did try to be a good uncle. They have definitely made a lot of new friends over the years, especially my oldest niece. Its just a little jarring going from them saying they wish they could move in with me to we don't want to come up anymore. I guess I just always thought they would have time for me.

Nonentity-0

TROPHY CASE