We all know how important family is. If you’re an aunt, you’ve probably experienced the joy of knowing a niece or nephew from birth and growing up together with them.
You are their first friend and a guiding light in their lives. The one who will always be there for them no matter what.
As the cool auntie to your nieces and nephews, here are some tips on how to bond with them:
Be yourself.
Your niece and nephew are going to know you better than anyone else in the world.
You don’t need to pretend to be someone else or try to be what they want you to be.
They will love you for who you are and if they don’t like something about how you act or speak, then that’s okay too.
The relationship between an auntie and her niece or nephew will develop over time; there is no need for it to be forced or unnatural from day one.
Be prepared to be goofy.
As a cool auntie, you’ll need to be prepared to be silly. You’re not just a grown-up anymore.
You’re also playing the part of an adult who can have fun and play with kids. Don’t take yourself too seriously when it comes to being a kid again.
It’s all about having fun! Be willing to make mistakes, laugh at yourself and try again if necessary.
If your niece or nephew suggests something that seems like too much work or takes too long (like building Legos), don’t let that stop you from joining in on the fun. Instead of saying no right away, ask questions: “What do we need?”; “How many pieces?”; “Where do they fit?”
These questions will help them explain how things work so they feel like they’re teaching their auntie something new instead of simply being entertained by her antics (which is what most nieces and nephews want).
Buy them toys.
When you’re buying toys for your niece or nephew, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Unless the child is super old and has very specific interests, don’t go out and buy them an expensive toy.
You can find many options at Mr. Toys (or any other store) that will be just as fun but much cheaper.
While it’s important not to get something too old or too young for your niece/nephew, it’s also important not to get something too big or small either.
This will make playing together more difficult when they’re older than they are now.
Be flexible.
Be flexible. If your niece or nephew asks you to watch a movie and eat ice cream, go for it. If they want to play with your phone, let them have it.
And if they borrow one of your favourite shirts and wear it for the rest of the day, don’t get upset.
You got a lot more use out of that shirt than they did anyway. Letting little ones make choices helps them feel empowered and in control while also giving them some independence from their parents (who are probably busy with work or other obligations).
Let them win sometimes.
The best way to help your niece and nephew feel comfortable is by letting them win sometimes.
It’s okay if you lose, too. If they ask if they can play with a game or toy that’s yours, consider letting them have it for a bit.
You can always take it back later. But for now, let yourself have fun with them.
Don’t be afraid to have fun
Encourage them to be silly. Let them know that it’s OK to have fun, even if their parents don’t want them to.
You can give them a much-needed break from their parents’ constant supervision and quiet reminders about what they can and cannot do.
As an adult, you may feel like you’re too old for some of the things you used to enjoy as a child but this isn’t true.
The best way for children (and adults) alike is through playtime activities such as board games and crafts that allow people of all ages to come together in fun ways that encourage bonding over shared experiences rather than just talking about what happened earlier in the day, week, month, etc.
Conclusion
As you can see, being a cool auntie is all about being yourself and having fun with your niece or nephew.
It’s not just about the gifts you give them, but also how much fun you can have together.
You don’t have to worry about spoiling them with toys or gifts because they love spending time with their auntie anyway.
Great tips, Luciana! Being yourself and being willing to be silly are definitely key when it comes to bonding with nieces and nephews. And buying toys that are age-appropriate and not too big or small is a great point too. Building strong relationships with our family members is so important, and being a cool auntie is a special role to play.