clingy child

[lmagda]

I'm currently visiting my extended family abroad and have been staying in their house for over two months, and I'm worried about my 12 year old cousin's behaviour, she is extremely clingy towards my aunt and is still trying to act like a baby. I'm trying my best to not say anything as I don't feel it is my place but I just want to know if it's normal behaviour? She is constantly trying to hug her and kiss her Mum, she also sulks if she is not the centre of attention, she actually started crying the other day because her Mum was speaking to her son, she also still tries to talk in a baby voice and is also saying things like 'look how cute and small I am' she doesn't really seem to understand boundaries and because of that my aunt's relationship with her son is lacking because he never gets to spend time with her alone and he did speak to me about it and he seemed pretty frustrated. I don't really know what to say, I don't really want to encourage this type of behaviour because personally I think it's pretty horrible! My aunt has said she's tired of this behaviour but she's happy to put up with it because she reckons when she becomes a teenager it will all change, but shouldn't it have changed a long time ago? I'm only 20 and don't have kids or younger siblings so I'm pretty clueless so I may be wrong and this could be normal but if anyone has any advice I would be happy to hear it!

[RockRose]

This baby behavior is getting rewarded by her mother,  somehow.  Children who act like babies get the attention they are looking for when they act like little babies.

Baby talk just flies all over me - I can't stand being in a room with a child (almost always girls) who do that.

The answer here is for the mother to give her NO attention when she's doing that,  and lavish attention on her when she is acting her age.  If she were your child I think it would be easy to begin this process - since she's not,  I don't know how you can forcefully broach this with the mother.

How is she doing in school,  with her peers?

[Braydens_mom0225]

i think she might need tharapy

[grannienannie]

I think this is normal for a 12 year old to me...if more kids was like her...you should feel so lucky that she showes innocents and love for others...it shows she has a big heart...if she was rude and loud and disrespectful..that will be another complaint...but acting her age and loving those around her is not something to worry about...its when she is quiet and distant from you then you should worry...And what child dont like attention..your 20 im sure you like attention too...she is doing it in her own way...as her age dose..enjoy it while it last...it will fade...and then where will that hug and kiss be when you need it most and no one is home but her...think about it...