I Can’t See The Child I Raise For His Entire Life

Location: Wilmington, North Carolina.

For the first year of my nephew’s life, I was his primary caregiver and lived with him for extended periods of time, often being several hours away from his parents for months at a time. When he turned one year old, his parents asked me to move in with them to help care for him as a live-in nanny. Although I was not compensated for this role, I regularly cared for him for long hours—often from 6:00 AM until after midnight.

This arrangement continued for the next two years while I was attending college. During that time, I played a significant role in raising him and providing daily care.

In November 2025, during the week of Thanksgiving, my nephew’s mother (my sister) moved to Kentucky and has had very limited contact with him since. Since then, my nephew has primarily been cared for by his father, myself, my mother, and my grandparents. He did spend one week visiting his mother, but that visit was largely coordinated by my mother.

Recently, my nephew’s father has said that he no longer wants members of his mother’s family involved in caring for him and has stated that anyone from that side of the family who comes onto his property will be trespassed. This has been confusing, particularly because I still live in the same home.

He has said at times that he wants to discuss the situation, but he frequently changes his mind, ignores calls and messages, and when we want to talk to him we have to text him so he has it in writing but whenever he has to talk to me he always calls me. He has also stated that I have no rights regarding my nephew, despite the fact that I have been a primary caregiver for most of his life.

Because I am not his parent, I understand that my legal standing may be limited, but I am struggling with what to do given the role I have played in raising him and the bond we share.