Aunts Are Like Second Mothers

Aunts are usually just as excited about their siblings’ babies as their mothers are. Aunts are a fundamental pillar of the family that always give hugs to comfort their nieces and nephews, and lend a helping hand to the parents however they can.

The love that an aunt feels for her niece or nephew is very special because it is full of happiness and adventure. They will form a friendship full of trust, mischief, games, and even some discipline.

Although aunts can be more permissive than parents, they know how to establish boundaries in a prudent and delicate way. They will watch over the safety of their nieces and nephews.

All of these characteristics allow the children to see their aunt as a second mother. For them, an aunt is a friend and also a protector.

My second mom tells me stories

An aunt is almost always the balancing point between the child and their parents. The aunt knows everyone pretty well and that’s why their point of view about certain subjects can be very wise.

Aunts are also a good source of stories. They can always remember fun moments from their childhood with their siblings and tell them lovingly to their nieces and nephews.

An aunt is like a second mom because she also becomes a nurse or teacher if her niece or nephew needs it. Nieces and nephews can find a close friend and confidant in her. She will always look out for their wellbeing.

Only an aunt can give hugs like a mom, keep secrets like a sister, and share happy moments like a friend.

The aunt’s role in healthy child development

The aunt’s role in children’s life and development is very important in many aspects. One aspect is psychological, as their role is important for Unconscious Family Structure.

“They are the family secrets. The bonds to our ancestors. They are the things that are unsaid, partially said or poorly understood. Everything that we experience shapes us and determines our unconscious psychology,” according to an article from psychologist Florencia del Rocio López.

The baby’s arrival changes everything

When a new member is added to the family, everyone’s lives change. Aunts, in effect, feel like a second mother that will care for their niece or nephew as if they were their own child.

Many aunts learn to be mothers when they have their little niece or nephew in their arms and find a new calling developing their maternal instinct.

All the roles and functions that they serve are redefined with the birth of new children in the family. Nieces and nephews especially make the bonds between siblings – that are now mom, dad, or aunt – even tighter.

The love among the family will surely grow from the moment the aunt feels the love of her little niece or nephew in her heart. When she gets lost in the gaze of those little eyes and she connects with the tenderness of this little person, she will wish they were her own child.

This love will continue growing and transforming while her niece or nephew grows up. With time, the aunt will go from a favorite caregiver to a friend.

Don’t forget that aunts are important

Don’t forget that aunts can share their interests with their nieces and nephews. Parents can’t always share their interests in the same way with their children because of lack of time or other reasons.

Also, according to the article, aunts and nieces/nephews have a special bond similar to the one children share with their grandparents. Although the generational difference is not as big and the way of showing their love is very different.

Melanie Notkin, the founder of Savvy Auntie (an online community for aunts and god-mothers), explains how the magic of the relationships with aunts exists because they don’t have the same responsibilities as parents do.

Parents have to discipline their children and this is a big difference in the type of relationship they have with them.