Kim ran away..

I think you need to talk to your cousin again before you try and convince the kid of something that you don't even believe in. Tell the truth. Tell her you cannot condone what she is doing and it is unfair of her to ask you to make it seem right to her kid when you don't believe it is right. Ask her if she would compromise her principles for you in the same way! If she says yes, then that speaks volumes about her priorities!! When you do speak to the kid, do remind him that he still needs to love and respect his mother first and foremost, in spite of what he thinks of her actions because she is still his mother. But explain also that you have some misgivings (which you may or may not describe) about her plans and you want him to know that you are there for him anytime he needs support or a shoulder to cry on, or a listening ear or whatever.... It's more important that the kid believes even if the world comes crashing down on him, he has a safety net. That is far more important for him to know than for him to be convinced of something you don't believe in. Tell him he can try and speak to his mother about how he feels just to let her know that he is uncomfortable with the choice she is making, but inevitably her decision will be hers to make, not yours or her kids'. And unfortunately, you probably cannot convince your cousin to do the right thing, as she has probably made up her mind already. Just let her know that you are not going to compromise your ideals and betray the trust that her son has in you by telling him some fabricated story to ease her path in life. That is not your job, nor should it ever be. And if it was before, then it should cease before the kid loses all the adults he can place his trust in. Be blessed!