Exactly 1 year ago today, I became an aunt. My sister-in-law gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and I’ve been enjoying the role as an aunt ever since. The glorious difference between a mom and an aunt (and this goes the same with a dad and an uncle) is the responsibilities. As a mom, there is a limit to how much we do, how we do things, and why we do things. We always need to consider how it would affect their learning and development and think about whether our actions are smothering, spoiling, or just right. However, as an aunt, I do not have to worry about any of it. I am licensed to spoil and that’s absolutely okay.
Obviously, grandmas still hold the ultimate spoiler card, but being an aunt means that our main goal is to have fun with them and play. Unfortunately, because of COVID, our family hasn’t had the chance to travel to the States and we still haven’t met our niece in-person yet. Though, given the circumstances, I will be patient, but it is a bit frustrating that I haven’t held her yet. Just like when holding your own child, that moment when you first hold them is something really special. That’s when you know it’s real. I’ve been sending my niece lots of gifts in the mail and watching her grow via FaceTime. I’m really fortunate that these technologies exist so we can watch her during her first years. She’s a cute bundle of joy and I’m proud to be her aunt. Hopefully I’ll be able to meet her in-person before her second birthday.