Two years ago I was given the greatest title ever. It was a title I always thought of, a title that always sounded fun. Two years ago, I was given the title “auntie.”
There’s nothing I love more than being an auntie. My niece is by far the greatest little human in the world. I mean, of course, I’m super biased, but seriously she’s amazing. However, with her little brother on the way, I’m definitely going to have to claim that they’re both the greatest.
When I became an auntie I feared about my niece not liking me. I feared that I wouldn’t be that cool, fun auntie in her eyes. As she started growing, though, those fears melted away as I began to just focus on being the best person I can for her. You see, when you’re an auntie, your life without a doubt changes with this new addition to your family. You’re suddenly a pretty important figure in a kid’s life.
When you’re an auntie, you also try to document almost every moment you have with them. You tell yourself “I can’t wait to see what you’re like when you’re older!," but at the same time, you’re thinking “Oh my God, please stay tiny forever!.”
I’ll admit I’m guilty of trying to snap a picture whenever my niece is cuddled up in my arms, but, hey, she’s growing fast and I know these moments aren’t going to last forever.
When you’re an auntie you also have a lot of laughs. Again I’m biased, but I think my niece is hilarious. She’s definitely one who can pull me out of a bad mood whether it be with her goofiness or adorable giggle. Being able to make her laugh is also just as great.
Apart from the laughter, you definitely experience the tears and the tantrums. I haven’t exactly figured out the best way to conquer the tantrums yet, so when you’re an auntie you may or may not use bribery to get your niece or nephew to listen. (I know it’s a horrible move, but it works. Especially if you offer up chocolate).
As for the tears, when you’re an auntie you do your best to soothe them and hold them close. You make sure they feel protected and you’ll always do your best to make them feel that way, no matter how old they get.
When you’re an auntie, you get to see a little human grow right in front of your very eyes. They say times flies and boy does it. Soon enough the little baby that was always babbling becomes a toddler who can string together sentences.
They’re learning as they go and you do your best to teach them everything you know, or at least everything that would be of value to a two-year-old.
When you’re an auntie you get to buy baby clothes and toys, rather than just browse the aisles and coo at cute items you see. You want to spoil your niece and nephew as much as you can without out-spoiling the grandparents. Grandparents can be the biggest spoilers of all.
You also get to hand down toys from your childhood as well as books. There’s already a small pile on my bookshelf that I can’t wait for my niece to read someday.
When you’re an auntie, you actually end up thinking about whether or not you want kids. As for me, well, right now I’m perfectly fine with just being an auntie. With my niece just turning two and with my nephew on the way, I’ve got quite a lot of auntie duties ahead of me.
Lastly, when you’re an auntie, nothing will top hearing a little voice call you “auntie.” It without a doubt becomes your most favorite sound in the world.
