Do I have the right to apply a physical discipline to my wife's nephew?

No, you don't have the right. What I suggest you do is to tell your wife to inform the parents of your wife's nephew about what their son is doing. his being hard-headed, sleeping so late, not studying his lessons, etc. The parents should be informed so that you won't be blamed in the end. Another thing is there should be rules set in your house for everyone to follow including him. And for each rule there should be punishment for not complying. But no physical punishments. Things like restrictions on watching television, using the pc, etc. But the most important thing for you and wife to do is to inform the parents and you and your wife can try talking to the kid.

I would not attempt Corporal Punishment on him but he definitely needs to be better managed. If he is living under your roof, and you have been asked to be his guardian, you have full parenting rights. I'd advise, that you sit down with him and try to reach a conclusion that suits you both. Explain to him what he needs to do to satisfy you, and ask him in return what you can do for him. If you can reach a suitable agreement the problem will go away. If you cannot then you will have to try another plan. Try to stay cool and remember that discipline might only make things worse. Think of him as a young adult, and treat him with respect.Try this approach first and hope it works.

The boy sounds like a brat. If you and your wife follow different policies with him, he might be confused; or he might just take advantage of the situation for his benefit. I think you should talk firmly with him and set rules and guidelines for him. If he still refuses to obey you, pack him back to his parents. Cheers and happy Mylotting

No, of course you shouldn't "punch him" BUT I basically feel that physical punishment should be firm enough to make a point, but gentle enough not to bruise. A little smack on the head like you might do to your buddies ought to be fine, and a spanking hurts a lot more than it harms. As long as you don't cause a need for band-aids, make-up covers, or hospitols, than sometimes you just have to do what is needed to make him listen. And hopefully after a couple of times the threat will be all that's needed, not the actual punishment. As far as it being a nephew, if they put you in charge, than you have to be in charge. If the kid feels like you're not the "real" disciplinaian then he'll never listen. While you are his guardian, you are no longer have a nephew, you just have an extra son.

hhmm... dont hit him..... like the others said... sit down and talk it out with him... saying that it is your house and you want some discipline in the house.. and that if he doesnt listen.... then you would ask his parents to take him as you cannot take the responsibility.... you have the right to say that.. because it is your house...my cousin brother had the same problem.... he told his parents and he later moved out....

where im from punching a child is called abuse and you go to jail. never punch a child. i dont believe in physcially diciplining other peoples children regardless of the situation. but he does reside in your home and perhaps there is more going on than you know. as adults we seem to forget what is was like to be kids. please dont abuse this child. just talk to him and set some rules for him and be there for him maybe he needs a little help with his studies good luck and cool it!!!

First of all your nephew is LIVING in your home and you said the you are now his guardian so that gives you the right to discipline him BUT not the right to punch him. Fist of all maybe you should set him down and give him some clear cut and dried rules along with the consequences for broken rules. If he can't follow those rules then he should go back to his parents because he is wasting the money paying for his schooling. You will need to get your wife on board with this too so discuss the rules and consequences with her to make sure she will help you in disciplining him.

A smack on the backside never hurt anyone permanently and sometimes a quick smack is that is needed to shake some sense into them. But do it early before you loose your temper and so that you still have control over yourself. If you want to go down the soft route then try to stop giving him food till he earns it. He must realise that it takes effort to put food on a table.

even if you were his parents, you'd not have the right to PUNCH him. that's assault. it sounds like he is beyond the age where physical punishment is no longer acceptable even to a few parents (I don't agree with hitting as discipline at any age, but know some parents think it's okay for young children when they don't think they have the capacity to understand consequences) and in all those cases, it's young children, and a slap. punching cannot ever be excusable. not in your own child, not in anyone elses child. you do not have the right to punch anyone.

The parents requested you to be the guardian, so therefore, you have all the right to give advise or even scold him because it is the responsibility of the guardian to do so, to discipline. The parents entrusted you to manage. I think you should control yourself so as not to hit the child, and better if you report the performance and behavior to the parents every time, so that you will not be blamed later on when things really go wrong. And, if you can't handle him anymore, you should bring back the responsibility to the parents, specially that it causes friction between you and your wife.

this issue is quite tricky ... maybe if his parents check up with you, you can tell them about his situation. Good luck and I must say I admire your generosity for sharing your home with your nephew

You have the right ro disipline him but not on inflicting harm such us punching him. This would just lead him to do more unlikeable manners. Talk to him instead let him feel that you're frustrated and getting mad of whats happening, for sure he'll get embarassed with you and change his attitude. Happy Ney Year...

Even as parents we should avoid hurting children physically. In the future this would leave a negative impression on them. The outcome will also be negative and you will never wish. The way I look at it, he is misbehaving because he wanted to get his parents attention or even your attention. Instead of punishing him, you should impose the rules and not just keep quiet. This is to let him know you are in charge and not him. It is best to let him do chores and let him study his lessons then reward him with tv time. Always focus and praise him for the good things he has done. I believe this is a kind of discipline in a loving way. No matter how hard headed or stubborn he could be there is always a good spot in this person. Find time to sit down and let him know why he is there. It is important to let him understand why he is there he might have thought he is there because his parents don't like him or don't want him. You should also tell him what the family's rules and regulations are. He isn't an exception to it because he is part of the family. Perhaps all he thought is he is just a guest in your house. I hope this suggestions help. Happy new year.;-)

Bro u r the guardian of him u can punching him if its the matter of his education because his parents have trusted u and had allow u 2 be the guardian of him

I'm not a lawyer, but if the natural parents asked you to be the guardian, I think that would give you disciplinary rights also. I don't think physical discipline is needed for the examples you provided though. I bet taking away TV priviledges, sitting down with him during homework time in case he needs help and a few early Saturday morning session of yard work with you supervising" every tasks just might be the trick needed. Cheers Stan

Never hit him. You'll only make thins worse, believe me. He will hate you. Communication is always the best way to solve things. There must be a way to control him a bit and make him realize that what he's doing is just wrong. Don't use corporal punishment.