Being an aunt isn't just a title given to you when you're sister gives birth to a beautiful little one. Being an aunt is a privilege. It's waking up to text messages asking you to come watch your niece or nephew because their parents want to go out on a date. It's chasing that little stinker around the house, wondering how they literally have the energy that one can only get from drinking ten Monster Energy drinks at once. Being an aunt might be one of the best jobs in the world, and here are five reasons why:
1. You basically are a third parent.
You're over at the house so much that you might as well live there. You care for this cute little human when everyone else is way too tired, and it's incredible to be given a job that means a tad more than just "caretaker." You're an AUNT.
2. You can teach this kid to be just like YOU.
What better way to help raise a child than to make them turn out just like yourself? When you dress them, you can make their outfits resemble your style as much as possible. It's insane.
3. You can spoil THE HECK out of them.
One of my favorite things to do is to spoil my nephew. I buy him too many clothes, I let him eat way too many cookies before dinner, and I always play any games he wants, whenever he wants. This is one of the most fun parts of holding your "Aunt" title.
4. You get to watch your siblings (and in-laws) turn into incredible parents.
Your brother that you thought was a total jerk your whole life, and now he's baby talking with your niece or nephew about how they need to eat their applesauce? Yeah. That happens. Or when your sister had said so many times how she's "never having another kid ever", and now you've got two nephews instead of one? CRAZY HOW THIS STUFF WORKS! They always love their kids, though, and you can totally see it anytime they look at them. Some of the best parents ever are your siblings when they have their own kids.
5. When they grow up, you know they'll always be able to call you for anything.
When they get older, they'll remember you spoiling them and always being around to make things better. You kissed their boo-boo's, you sang the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song with them way too many times, and you always made sure Bubble Guppies was somewhere to be found on the TV.
Some people say that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. I'm an aunt, and it's definitely not a job. It's an honor to see the smiling faces of my nephews, and this might be the only job I'll love more than anything.