1. Seeing your niece/nephew can turn your day around.
I could be having the worst day ever, but walking in and seeing my niece's face light up and hearing that tiny little voice yell my name changes everything. Hearing all the new and exciting things that are going on in my nephew's life takes my mind off of my own problems for a little while.
2. I can hang out with my niece/nephew but give them back when I am done.
One of the best things is getting to spend quality time with little ones but being able to take them home and have some quality time to myself. Because I do not have to spend every waking moment with them, the time I do get with them is special and means something.
3. Watching your niece/nephew grow and learn fills you with pride.
Just in the past this year I have watched my nephew grow so much physically and mentally. His grades have improved and his attitude has progressed greatly. My sweet niece learns new things every day and I love being able to experience her first year of school with her. She still thinks school is magical and awesome (for now, at least). I have never had the kind of pride I feel for have two amazing human beings; it is so overwhelming I sometimes do not know how to handle it. Before you ask, yes, I am that crazy aunt yelling at my babies' events.
4. The love your niece/nephew gives you.
My parents love me unconditionally, but that is nothing compared to the love I get from my niece and nephew. I feel the best about myself and the most loved when I am with them. They cannot wait to see me when I am gone and when I come back it is as if I am their world. They trust my opinions over others (most of the time) and treat me the way I wish everyone would treat me.
5. Being able to give someone everything and not needing anything at all is amazing.
More often than not, when you are interacting with people you want something in return, whether it be emotional, physical or materialistic. However, I have found when I am interacting with my niece and nephew I want nothing from them. I give them everything I have to offer in every way I can to make sure they have what they need (which is not normal for me because I can be selfish) without expecting them to reciprocate in any way. Their needs come before my own and it is oddly refreshing.
These two human beings have impacted my life more than any one else I have encountered and one of them is barely 3 years old. They make me work harder and make better decisions every day because I want to give them what they deserve. If you ask me, they deserve the entire world.
