If you’re thinking, “Are you kidding me? I don’t need to be told how to be an awesome aunt!” I can’t blame you. Awesomeness comes naturally to some people (trust me, I know), but others are not so lucky.
Whatever bucket you belong to, however, this sweet little guide will point the way to being the awesomest aunt your nephews and nieces can ever want.
Before that…
How to be an awesome aunt
Everyone knows you can’t just list down steps to being a great aunt, right? Let me try anyway.
- Build a strong relationship
- Be present
- Offer guidance and advice
- Give meaningful gifts
- Have fun
- Respect their parents
Common sense? Maybe so, but one thing I have learned is this: common sense ain’t that common. So, let’s dig deeper.
1. Build a strong relationship
Spend time getting to know your nieces and nephews by engaging in their interests, listening to them, and showing them that you care about their lives. We all have different love languages, quality time being one of them. I’m pretty sure, though, that whatever your nephews and nieces’ love languages are, spending quality time with them will never hurt.
2. Be present
Read the above.
In detail: Attend important events such as birthdays, school plays, and sports games. Show up for them, and make yourself available to listen and support them.
3. Offer guidance and advice
Share your life experiences and wisdom with your nieces and nephews. Be a positive role model by showing them how to handle difficult situations and make good decisions.
Recently, my nephews have been having a rough time. I am not allowed to share the details, but let’s just say a tween’s emotions get the better of him. While unsolicited advice is never welcome—it’s unsolicited, after all!—you never know when a shared experience (and the telling of it) may do a kid some good.
Be open.
4. Give meaningful gifts
Ever had that aunt who gave the most horrible Christmas presents? Decades-old lipstick to a teenager…true story.
Don’t be that aunt.
Show your love and appreciation by giving thoughtful and personalized gifts that reflect your nieces and nephews’ interests and passions.
It’s tempting to give what you think they will like because you like it. (Now, there will be some overlap, but don’t always go this route.) But, if you have a good relationship, you’re likely in the know about what the kids like.
You know…
✨ Pokemon (and not unicorns)
✨ Overwatch (and not The Sims)
✨ The Chicago Bulls (and not the San Antonio Spurs; #SpursForever)
5. Have fun
Get in there. Let your hair down and your inner child out. Even if you have an irrational fear of mechanized animals (I swear, they were created for mind control or something…I don’t have an irrational fear of them, though. I really don’t.)!
Plan outings and activities that are enjoyable for both you and your nieces and nephews. Create memories and experiences that they will cherish for years to come.
6. Respect their parents
Listen, this one’s super important. You may feel like you have the right to make decisions for the kids—and maybe you do, but at the end of the day, you are not the parent. So, respect your nieces and nephews’ parents and their parenting decisions. Communicate openly and respectfully with them, and make sure to follow their rules and guidelines. If you have any concerns, discuss it with the parents (without the kids present).
Being an awesome aunt takes effort, time, and patience. (Though I have to be honest and say it comes naturally to some 😄) With love, support, and a willingness to be present in their lives, you can build a special relationship with your nieces and nephews that will last a lifetime.
Being called the awesome aunt is icing on the cake.
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March 19, 2023 at 9:12 am[…] them about it, or even if you do, it might not warrant to anything. Then again, if you’re the awesome aunt I think you are, you won’t have to worry about […]