What are some bad things that Niang did?

Niang isolates her step-children, forcing them to stay of the third floor of their home and refusing to allow them friends over. The children are not allowed to visit at the homes of their friends either. She beats the children, even the baby, and cancels all allowances. She makes the boys get awful haircuts, for which they're endlessly teased by their friends, ad she chooses their clothing.