Aunts Play a Crucial Role in Every Child’s Life, and Here’s Why

If you’re lucky enough to have an aunt, you know how cool she is. She is a loyal friend who is equal parts support, joy, and fun. Aunts are very important people in the life of every child, playing no less a part than parents and grandparents. And it’s not just about being a family member, it’s about making the effort to occupy a special place in the lives of their nieces and nephews.

We at Bright Side value family relationships and want to draw your attention to the role of the aunt, which is sometimes not a simple role to fill, but nevertheless can be really impactful. Aunties are great and here is some proof.

The aunt is one of the few people who knows a child from birth and, accordingly, she often acts as a babysitter, knows their habits, and participates in their upbringing. Who better for parents to entrust their baby with, than a family member? Aunties, grannies, and grandpas are always ready to take care of the children in their lives, but the aunt has more endurance than the grandparents. This allows her to respond to the moods and whims of the child less emotionally.

Despite her adult age, the aunt can act as a friend. The fact that she is not the child’s parent allows her to communicate with them on an equal footing and to find a common language while still remaining an authority in the eyes of the child. And when the aunt sees the kid as a best friend, it’s so easy to have fun and fool around together, while creating pleasant and warm memories.

Since children are sometimes afraid of how parents might react to this or that news, it’s easier for them to talk about their problems with another person. And at this moment, it’s the aunt’s turn to impartially listen to the child, without anger, disappointment, or accusation. Afterward, she will be able to give valuable advice based on her rich life experience, provide support, and help the child deal with problematic situations.

The presence of the aunt in a child’s life allows them to form family values. The child follows the example of their parents who are close friends with their sisters, and they see them as role models in forming and understanding family relationships. They will even try to communicate in the same way with their siblings and other family members. And what could be more valuable than strong bonds with loved ones?

The aunt knows the child’s parents very well, so she can tell the child a lot about them. By sharing memories and stories about their childhood and youth, the aunt is able to strengthen her relationship with the child. She allows them to look at their parents with different eyes and learn some interesting facts that make the child understand their parents and get to know their lives better. And let’s be honest, the stories about our parents’ youth, especially without them being there to censor them, are extremely exciting and interesting.

And as long as the aunt knows both parents and the child, she can act as a mediator. Generational problems can happen in families sometimes. Parents don’t know how to talk to their children, and the children in turn believe that their elders don’t understand them. And the aunt can try to convey to each side the wishes and claims of the other. She doesn’t participate in this dispute and therefore she sees the situation from the sidelines. In this case, both the parents and the children will listen to her, as she is an adult and a friend at the same time.

It’s also important for the aunt who has children to provide the child with friends and playmates. They can spend time at their grandparents together, learn the history of their family, and just have fun gathering in the family circle. And, if the aunt has no children, then it’s the kid’s turn to help her. Childless aunts find that their nephews and nieces are an opportunity for them to give their love, care, and tenderness to children, without having their own little ones.

The role of the aunt in the child’s life can’t be overemphasized. She is important, she is part of their family and life, and she will always be there for her nephews and nieces. She loves them and there is no need to wait for a special occasion to tell her that this love is mutual.

Do you have an aunt or maybe you already have nephews and nieces yourself? What is the relationship like between the 2 of you? Share your story with us in the comments.