How to deal with an adult bully in the family?
When told to stop, they don't stop and it just feels as though they're just trying to 'push all the buttons'. I seriously doubt they will change, but how to deal since I'm not good at dealing with the situation. And it is even effecting my child who happens to be impressionable at this age.
Need more info.. Is this social or at work? Is it at home?
I say ignore or stay away. Do not get pulled into their drama.
I'm answering on the assumption that the adult bully is bullying you, not your child. Here's what I did when I felt bulllied by my younger brother (he's 11 years younger than me, but at our ages that doesn't make a lot of difference). He picked on me continually because of my religious beliefs. I'm not a drinker, partly because my church teaches against it, but mostly because of my own preferences. Finally, I had simply had enough of his picking on me, telling me "one little taste of a wine cooler won't send you to hell" etc. I finally turned to him and demanded that he leave me alone. I told him that if he came to my house, where the coffeepot is always going and one of the first things we normally do for guests is to ask if they'd like a cup of coffee, and he said "no, I don't care for coffee today" I wouldn't keep on badgering him to have a cup of coffee, and I'd appreciate the same courtesy from him regarding drinking alchoholic beverages. He finally took the hint and our relationship has improved greatly. I was actually at the point where I really didn't ever want to be in his company prior to that time.
If the adult you feel is bullying is important to you, I think you definitely need to find a way to confront that person with the truth of what his or her bullying is doing to you and demand that they stop. If that doesn't work, then your only recourse as I can see it, is to state to that person and the rest of the family that you no longer care to be in the company of that person and will opt out of any family gatherings unless and until that persons attitude toward you changes.
More information - age of the bully, what is actually happening and what is happening to YOUR child?
Ignore them and stay FAR away from them. Don't waste your time with ignorant immature people like that. Especially if it's effecting your child, you don't want him/her to see this type of behavior therefor IGNORE, ignore, ignore! Don't let this stress you out, totally NOT worth it!
Good Luck!
