Being the youngest in the family, I have the privilege of watching my nieces and nephews go through the changes of life. Well, not all of them yet! My oldest niece is 14, my next niece is 7, my nephew is 3, and my second nephew almost 1. When the oldest was born, I was 7 years old, and at that very moment I discovered the importance of being an aunt.

Children to me are an absolute delight. I am the kind of aunt that wants to wrestle, play imaginary games and literally act like a total idiot in order for my nieces and nephews to laugh. I’m always on the lookout for the toy section, or for my mature 14 year old, a really great book or art supplies. When I am not a broke college student, I wanna spoil them with tons of gifts, and if I’m rich, future college accounts. These are things you can do when you are an aunt. Well, these are the things I do. First of all, you can be a human playground when they are little. I would advise you to work out, because it makes it easier for you to pick them up when they are getting heavy. My younger niece wanted me to be a dolphin in the pool, so she rode my back, and I would go under water carrying her weight. If I was not working out, I would have died, but would have done it anyway. “Piggy-back” rides are a real thing that is desired, a lot! You know you have to do it when they look at you with those eyes. I give clothes away to my older niece if she likes them, or if she sees jewelry she likes of mine, because that is what you do. When she was little, and I was growing older, I would give all my toys away to her or my little cousins. Trust me, nieces and nephews love it when you give them your vintage Pokemon cards. That way I know my stupid toy legacy is being passed down somehow, in grateful hands.

When they are older, you can help them escape from their normal life back home, (give your sister or brother a break from their attitudes) and have them talk to you. They will open up to you, because being an aunt is not like being a parent; it is like having a second best friend that is a totally cool adult. So really, I get the great end of the stick. Giving them advice is also key, because they listen to you. As you help them through the cycle of their teenager phase, you start to wonder who your favorite aunts and uncles were. You start to remember how you were, and that makes it easier to relate to them. They are my world, and they are growing up so fast. If you have crazy nuggets to take care of, do it. Really, it gives you experience in the long run with kids. I do it because I love them so much and will always want to be the “Crazy Aunt Maddie” in their eyes.

That is all my darlings, but more next week!