It can be a lot of fun being an auntie or uncle. You get to have a whole lot of fun with a little human, and then when things start to get a little tiring, you can just hand them back to the parents.
It’s all of the fun with little responsibility, basically. However, there are still some responsibilities. While you might enjoy time with your niece or nephew, it’s important that you’re also fulfilling your duty as an extended member of their family.
If you manage it correctly, then you’ll become an important part of their life!
In this blog post, we’ll look at some tips for how you can ensure you’re there for your niece or nephew — and that you’re their favourite relative!
Show an Active Interest
If there’s one thing that you’ll have to do to get your title of best auntie/uncle ever, it’s showing an active interest in their life.
You could send a great present each birthday and Christmas, but if you're not a presence in their life, then it won’t count for all that much.
You’ll just be the person that sends presents. Asking about their day and all-around being aware of what they’re up to is a useful starting point.
Encourage Their Passions
Encouragement can be life-changing for a young person. If you’re an adult, then you’ve probably forgotten just how much of an impact some encouragement can have on a young person’s life.
It can be the push they need to go in the direction of their dreams. There’s no shortage of ways to motivate and encourage your niece or nephew to live their best life.
You could get them tickets to a concert, contribute money so they can go on school trips to New York or expose them to books/movies/people that you think will inspire them.
Years later, when they’ve made it in life, they’ll be extremely grateful for the encouragement you showed.
Be a Safe Space
It’s not easy being a young person. In fact, it’s more difficult than ever before. At all ages of their life, they’ll have issues that they would prefer not to talk about with their parents.
This is where you come in. You can provide a safe space for them to share whatever it is that’s on their mind, and give them honest, practical advice and guidance.
Everyone needs someone older to talk to, so why not be that person?
Bring Them Into Your World
You don’t just have to show an active interest in their life. You can also invite them into your world from time to time.
Children learn a lot by spending time with adults doing a variety of different things. If you’re going out for the day, then invite them along.
You’ll likely provide a valuable role model for them, especially if what you’re doing is a whole load of fun!
With these tips, you’ll be on your way to doing right by your niece or nephew, and you’ll get a lot of satisfaction, too.
Love, Sarah xoxo
