I was only 13 years old when my nephew was born, and only 16 when the twins were born. Being this young gives me such an advantage. In my family, I'm the closest in age with them. There are just so many reasons why the young aunt is the best aunt.

1. I get more time with them

I still live at home when I'm not at school, which means I can see the kids so easily whenever I want. Their other aunts and uncles, on the other hand, have moved out and live in different states. Plus, when they all get together to go out to drink, I'm the designated babysitter, giving me even more time with the munchkins.

2. I can keep up with them running around

I'm still young and active enough to chase them up and down the house for hours on end. Okay maybe not hours, but at least longer than the rest of their aunts! I'll always be their favorite person to play hide and seek with or to chase them around.

3. Closer age means closer bond

Everyone knows that typically the closer you are in age to someone, the closer of a bond you're likely to have with them. My older siblings are close with each other and me and my brother are closer to each other because we're the younger siblings. So my niece and nephews are likely to be closer with me because I am the youngest of their aunts. Which is great!

4. I am well prepared to have kids of my own one day

Being the youngest child, I had no little siblings to practice my motherly instincts on. But now that I'm an aunt, I am constantly being put to work acting like another mom to them. And the greatest part is that if they're ever too much for me to handle, I can give them right back to their mother! I may not be totally prepared for motherhood, but I'm more prepared than I was before.

5. I get to spoil them the most

I have a job, but I don't have many real bills yet. So a lot of my money can go towards spoiling the kiddos! From buying them toys to taking them on "Auntie dates", the fun never ends with us.

6. They are the perfect test to see if my boyfriend is father material

When I'm serious about a guy and want to know if I could potentially have a future with him, all I have to do is bring him around my niece and nephews and see how he is and what they think of him. If the kids love him, great! If they hate him, it's bye-bye boyfriend.

Being an aunt at any age is a huge honor. I am honored to be a role model to these kids. But being a young aunt means I can also be their bestfriend. And there is no greater gift than that.