UGH, my sister

Have you spoke to your sister about this? In a tactful, loving and caring manner. My first thought on this is are you and your sister sure she even has asthma? And if so could it be caused by mold or something like that that could be eradicated and then she wouldn't have the problem. I wonder sometimes if some of the childhood maladies could be done something about naturally and not chemically.

This is a tough one...first of all because I have read where kids die from asthma then I am really unfamiliar on the whole thing. I have seen mom's baby their kids where even if another child just looks at them the wrong way they get whiny to their mom's. Has she gone through one of those moment's with her daughter where she almost lost her or put a big scare on her by having an asthma attack? Also if it's her only child most mom's tend to be like this when they only have one or two kids. It's really hard to say but some mom's will run to their child even for a scrape on the knee.

from what you are saying there are other issues here besides your nieces asthma. Why is she lying so much? Why is she seeking attention in this way. She could be just a bit of a drama queen or there could be some real problems. Talk to your sister in a friendly caring way and tell her your concerns. I feel they should sort out your nieces needs with her doctor so all are aware of the severity (or lack of) of your niece's case. What ever your niece's burden is, it seems to be too much for her at this age.

I think it's a good thing your sister is the mother. Better to jump at tightness in the chest than be surprised by a full-blown attack.

Back when I was in school, there was one time that I got sick. So, I moped around in bed all day feeling sorry for myself. Then a friend asked me, what's wrong with you? Stop feeling sick, get up, and get on with your life. That lesson I took to heart and apply everyday. Now, when my kids get sick, I don't like 'baby-ing' them. I don't ask them anymore how they are feeling because I could already get that from thermometers, or just by looking at them. Your sister should stop 'baby-ing' your niece. So she wouldn't end up with a big baby who would sometimes lie. Happy new year!

If it is only a mild case of asthma there is no need to worry extremely because I also had some trouble in breathing when I was small during winter season especially. I have allergy. But my grandmother has asthma. Eve at 85 she has only trouble with it occasionally. So please take some precautions and she can live as freely as she wants.

this is a hard situation... we won't know whether the child is pretending or not and we can't judge her as well... if we say that she is pretending and she is not, then something serious happen to her, then we will regret it... i know that kids like to attract other people's attention but at the same time they are also still innocent... this is really a hard case... and your sister just try to show her concern to her daughter even though it seems to be a bit excessive... take care and have a nice day...

Hi. Asthmatic and allergies since 1984. Let me handle this. Tell your sister that if she does not take care of her Asthma, she will regret it. I have had Asthma and allergies my entire life, and I have to take medication everyday to control it. I am also on a diet and I exercise to keep it in control. If you don't control it, you are looking at a heck of a lot of hospital visits and I know that's no fun. I take my inhaler twice a day, I am also on Flonaise (this is a common one), and I take whatever medication I need to get through my day. I know that if my Asthma gets out of control, I could die, and I have been very close to it several times. Tell your niece, that from one Asthmatic to another, she needs to control her Asthma. I have had Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Strep throat, Laryngitis, tonsil removal due to strep throat and laryngitis, and several Asthma attacks, one of which almost killed me. This is what your niece has to face if she is not careful.

It might've been the case a few years ago, but I'm afraid its probably too late now

I would say that I would side with your sister on this. I have a daughter who found out a few years ago that she had Lyme Disease and she had to be on steroids for 7 days at least once every three weeks when first diagnosised due to the swelling that was pushing on the optic nerve behind her eye. It could have caused blindness. I was constantly asking her how she felt and if she had taken her medicine. They are children and may not tell you when they only notice a small change or they may not even notice a small change. I could look at my daughter's eye and know it was time for her medicine. I still can and I still remind her that she needs a prescription and needs to get that medicine. She is a typical young person who is very busy and forgets at times or doesn't take it as serious as she should. Yes, your neice may use it to get away with some stuff, but she may also not be lying when she says something is wrong and it would be awful to ignore it and something happen to her.

hi Nadinest1 theres always twi sides to anything. If you ever worked in a hospital with the patients you would see children with asthma and hearing them trying to get a decent breath would make you really careful about whether the symptoms were real or exaggerated. It has always been my contention that in a case of childhood asthma one should err on the side of caution.Just like people who suffer chest pain and keep saying its only heart burn til they collapse with a heart attack.I venture to say I doubt if she lies all the time about chest pain. You really have to see a child struggling for breathe to realize how real this disease can be.. A mom is going to be more alert to asthmatic attacks then an Aunt but of course she can be a little too nervous. here is where they need to have a happy medium, not to be too worried over her child but on the other hand not to casual about it either.I know I was too casual about my own so called chest cold until I landed in the hospital with bacterial pneumonia as I fainted and came to in the ambulance with my husband telling me now You are going to the hospital. YOu are too ill not to. I do not think the emt was too thrilled that my husband who was an orderly by the wayt inissted on riding with me.

I think you hit the nail on the head here. This is going on for sure. But that doesn't help unless you, your sister and your niece can get together and try to cure it. Asthma is a very dangerous thing, no matter what causes it. And it tends to grow worse.

I am sure the mommy is way over worried as it is her way of being a good parent. However there is this thing that we can spoiled, and simply some kids like to use a few ailments to the fullest extent. I sure hope her asthma never worsens, but she needs to be taught more of the dynamics of how to deal with it in life as opposed to being over pampered because of it. As children have a way of gaining sympathy.

Has the doctor said she actually has asthma? It is a serious condition and even more for a 12 year-old-girl. I had a friend in middle school who had asthma and she had some severe attacks during classes. If she is faking, I don't know but if her mother is always asking she might be making a big deal out of that. Try not to pay a lot of attention to that or even ignore her until you really see that someting is happeing to her, like shortening of breathing, that is usually the first thing you notice. But like I said, her mother should take her to the doctor first and see what he/she has to say.

I can't say for sure as I don't know them but sounds like you might be on the right track...like a small child when it needs attentions sometimes does naughty things....mom needs to back off!

I think you are probably correct. It needs to be addressed (the asthma) but in a way that doesn't give more attention to the illness than the person. Managing asthma can be a crazy trip - both of my children have it! But you have to value them and find things that they can do rather than limiting them.

wow, that is not an easy one though. I think if your niece feel her lung hurt, or she needs immediate attention from a doctor, why not take her to a doctor, and have it check up. Whether she is lie or not. Maybe one time she is telling a truth, and no one actually care about it. I think it is fair to take her go check up for safe.