[keithalanveeder]

Long story short, my sister, her husband and her two kids have not gotten along with me since 1998. However, that is not an excuse for what my mother and I witnessed a day or two after Thanksgiving in the living room of the house where Mom and I live.

I was walking from the kitchen back to the room at the hall where I spend my days to avoid angering the family, when the person on TV said something that caught my ear. I turned around, asked my youngest niece who was standing in front of the TV to take one step to the left so I could see the TV.

My sister comes flying out of the kitchen, grabs my youngest niece's left arm with her right arm and yanks her almost out of her shoes she pulled her into the kitchen so fast. I've told my mother, who witnessed this, that if my sister feels the need to lay a hand on me, that's fine. Don't touch kids like that. I don't care if they're her kids or not. She's a teacher, and should know better.

I told this to my therapist, who immediatly suggested I call CPS and gave me the local number. I told Mom, who didn't protest that I had talked to the therapist about the incident, as she knew how much it was upsetting me that my adult sister was taking out her anger at me on her children. She did, however, point out that the call to CPS would destroy the family. I've pointed out to her, my therapist, and myself until last night that this was the first incident.

WRONG.

I remembered last night that the same niece, maybe seven years ago when she was around three or four, had run into the room where I now spend my days to avoid angering the family, to wake her napping father. Her idea of waking him up was to jump on his lap, but she landed on his crotch, knees first. Next thing Mom and I hear is the primal scream of a little girl in fear of her life. Mom charges, and I MEAN CHARGES IN, the father is ORDERING my mother to " MIND YOUR BUSINESS! MIND YOUR BUSINESS! MIND YOUR BUSINESS!" I don't know for a fact he hurt her, but I've never heard a kid make that noise before or since that day.

I don't want to CPS until I HAVE TO. I see no bruises, and this kid walks around after her shower wearing a towel, so I'd see them. But I'm afraid to wait too long.

[sideblinded]

Hi keithalanveeder

Wow, I read your story and it is most complicated. What you want to do is very serious but you already talked to a T about this probably in more detail. If she or he thinks you should call CPS then it is your call. You know your sister and you know the situation better than anyone on here. I would talk to your niece if you haven't already. That kind of inquiry will surely cause family problems but if you fear for your niece's safety then it is worth a call for her sake. Just give it some good thought.

Take care.