I don’t have a bond to my niece and nephew (my husbands brothers kids). They were like 5 and 2 when we got together and it’s been almost 4 years. We don’t see them often and I just don’t feel the connection to them.

I’m not close to my two nieces of my brothers kids either because I never see them. It just is what it is I mean I don’t really see it as a problem lol I’ll be sweet to them and enjoy my time with them whenever it comes around but if my husband wanted us to see them more he’d bring it up or make it happen. My hubby and I are super close with our nephew on my side of the family though, my sisters son.

My BIL married a woman who already had kids that were in middle school and they never had any kids together. We used to do family dinners with them but then some drama happened and they stopped coming around (only BIL would show up) so we only saw them about once a year or so. Now my husband and I are having our own kids and those kids are in high school and college now and won’t see or talk to us so I couldn’t even tell you their last name or anything else about them really

they’re my only niece and nephew. My husband only has 1 brother and I’m an only child. I think that’s why it hurts 😭

Ohhhh, yeah I can totally understand why you feel that way more then. I’m sorry 😟 you should throw around some ideas with your hubby on how to get closer to them! Like do a fun lil auntie/uncle date night once every few weeks and take them out somewhere if it’s at all possible. My sister and I already discussed how in the summers she’s gonna take my kids for a week or two and then I’ll take hers 😂 to give eachother a break and also build memories with the kids

I have 2 nephews with another on the way my sister in law and are both expecting boy around the same time. But they live in another country so I don’t really know them which sucks. I would start by getting to know them as much as possible there might be a way to connect.

My brother in law (husband’s brother) had 1 child (nephew) when my husband and I got together and he was 1. Then couple years later, they were expecting baby #2 (another boy). But then they split and the mother moved down to California with the boys. We see them when my brother in law decides to step up and be a father which is rare. We did see them last year for the summer. They’re now 10 and 8 . We try to keep in touch with them .

Kids love getting stuff in the mail. Maybe write them letters or send fun little things in the mail and see if you can be pen pals

I think I’ll come w time. They’re ur kids only cuzins so they’ll b close n it’ll help I think

If they were on your side it'd probably be different just be polite and mindful maybe get them gifts on special occasions if you want to. Im super close to all my nephew's on my family's side but don't know my husband's at all and it's fine for us ( my husband is no very close to his family so there's that to)

Do you and your husband want to see them more often? Do their parents want to see you? What's stopping you spending more time together?

I don't think you need to have a specific bond with other peoples kids, especially if you don't see them often. I get that it'd be nice as you're family but families aren't always close!

What do you want out of the relationship? I'd figure that out and see if it aligns with what their parents want too e.g. if you'd like the cousins to be close and grow up together. You can't force it though!

I said can’t relate but i think about my exhusbands nieces and nephews (there was 8 of them) the eldest one and the youngest one I didn’t really form a bond with but the rest of the kids were super into me HOWEVER it felt like the sisters didn’t want us to have that relationship at all especially the eldest sister that had the 6 kids

Do they live far away?

If not, then talk to the parents, ask if you can take them out to lunch or ice cream. Start small and if you wanted, see if they need someone to babysit and if you could do sleepovers. Tell the parents how you feel and how you want them in your life and you want to be there for all of them🤍

I don’t like them (the parents) lmao but if my husband wanted to I would anyways. They live 30 minutes from us and no one makes an effort lol

If you don't like them and your husband isn't bothered then I'd probably just leave it tbh! No point trying to force a connection between your families.