A Week of Gratitude, Day Six - Being a Cool Auntie

Friday, December 9, 2011
Earlier this year, my Smart BIL and his Hot Wife had their first child, my Awesome, Awesome Niece. She had a bit of rough start, as she was very premature and weighed less than two pounds when she was born. But she rallied like the tough little trooper she is*, and is now thriving under the care of her stunningly conscientious parents.

I can't begin to tell you how much this baby girl means to me. I've never gotten a chance to be a cool Auntie, and her birth has given me a chance to fill a role I thought I'd missed. The Smart Man, my Hot Daughter and I are all goofy with love for this small person, and imagine ourselves taking her on vacations, introducing her to the things we love, and otherwise spoiling her rotten before shipping her back to her parents.

Being a Cool Auntie is very different than being a parent, especially when my Awesome, Awesome Niece already has Awesome parents of her own. She doesn't need the Smart Man or I to act all disciplinarian or encourage her to go to college. She doesn't need us to lecture her on the dangers of illicit drug use or riding in a car without a seat belt. She has her Awesome parents for that. She needs us to always have gum and join her on the roller coaster. 

A role I'm grateful to fill.

_________
*Seriously, this kid is going to be a Navy SEAL when she grows up. She's the strongest preemie I've ever seen, and when we went to visit earlier this year, she was bossing everyone around. And we turned two, thank you very much.

6 comments:

Random Michelle K said...

OMG yes.

I never knew what I was missing until Jules came. I mean, I liked being an honorary auntie and all for my friends kids and my cousin's kids, but being an actual auntie?

It's almost too much for words.

The Mechanicky Gal said...

You have summed up the Cool Auntie Role perfectly!

Anne C. said...

This. Exactly.

Carol Elaine said...

I became A Cool Auntie in my twenties - my eldest niece was born in 1989. I've always loved it.

(I've also occasionally been A Mean Auntie. My voice can get very authoritative without raising it - a quality that some of my siblings, in-laws and mother lack. I don't like having to use The Voice, but it has been necessary once in a while. I still prefer being The Cool Auntie.)

Jack Tyler said...

Hey, Hottie! I encountered your work while I was researching Basiago, and while you seem too smart for me to talk to, I couldn't resist checking in on this. See, we have a premie grandson who's as rough as unvarnished stucco, and your description of your niece seemed familiar. I think the ones that make it, make it because they're such incredible fighters.

If you get a moment to compare notes on premies with my daughter, she's just getting her site off the ground at www.the-spinster-aunt.blogspot.com. And Tuesday, if you have any interest, I'll be posting what I've learned in 60 years of living and watching kids deal with violent play at Jack's Hideout. Click my pic for links to all that stuff if you're interested.

Nice series; it's hard to find a young person who knows that gratitude is a word anymore, let alone a concept. Thanks for restorin', yo...

Janiece said...

Welcome, Jack.