I am not a mom I was unable to have kids and that is OK, but I love being an Aunt very much. My sisters work so hard and have to work outside the home b/c money is so tight. What are ways that I can encourage them and pour my love into my nieces and nephews? It is not easy being a mom and it is even harder being a mommy 24/7/365 and even though like I said before I am unable to have kids, I want to be the Aunt and the sister that gives and cares and babysits because when it is just me and my husband it is easy not to understand or empathize with what moms go through, and we just want to make a difference in my families lives.
2007-01-20 16:03:51 · 13 answers · asked by encourager4God 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
You are a wonderful sister and a really great aunt! One of the biggest things about being a parent is guilt. If you have to work or want to work, you are taking time away from your kids. If you stay at home, you are robbing them of financial opportunities. If you keep your house neat and clean, you are taking time and freedom away from your kid. If you let the kids make a mess, then you aren't keeping a good house. Stay-at-home moms are treated like uneducated, lazy, good-for-nothings while working moms are slammed for leaving their kids to be raised by daycares and schools. No matter what you decide, there is always someone who tells you it is horrible. Babysitting, playing with the kids, taking them places your sisters can't or don't have time to are really wonderful helps but the most important thing you can do is to tell your sisters how good they are doing and how hard you see them try.
Teaching your nieces and nephews how to do things (everything from loading a dishwasher to playing chess) is a really great way to share yourself with the kids and helping their parents make sure they enter the world skilled and well-rounded. Share who you are with the kids and don't be afraid to jump in a help the parents with stuff like housework or buying school supplies too.
Thanks for being a great sister and aunt, I hope your sisters tell you but if they never do, know that they feel it.
2007-01-20 16:34:37 · answer #1 · answered by Huggles-the-wise 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter just had my first grandchild three months ago and he's the best!! One thing we do to help her and her husband (he's working, she's in law school) is that sometimes they just need to go to Wal-Mart or shopping for a couple of hours and they drop Zeke by and leave him with us to they can get some un-interrupted errands run. We haven't kept him for them overnight yet - he's rather colicy and the only one he wants is momma, but we will eventually. You might arrange to keep the kids ahead of time over an anniversary - if they can't afford to go anywhere, see if you can keep them at your house - so they can have some quality time together. Take them to the park on Saturday afternoon so mom and dad can get some housework/lawnwork done. If it would help their budget and you can help this way, see if you can take them shopping for some (perhaps not all, but some) new school clothes in the fall, or for school supplies. That kind of stuff can cost a pretty penny. and it might become a fun tradition. You could also take them shopping for mom and dad's birthday/anniversary/christmas presents. You are to be commended for wanting to make a difference in their lives.
2007-01-20 16:19:28 · answer #2 · answered by karat4top 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
offer to hangout with the kids on a weekend night in advance and order some pizza for dinner(or something easy to have for dinner that the kids love), rent some movies and set up camp for the kids in the living room. I am a father of two and I have to say I love my kids more than anything, but when I get free time to just do something fun or relaxing without my kids every once and awhile I cherish every moment of it. Having a babysitter when I'm working is a necessity, when I get to go have adult time is a luxury. I have five sisters and two are single, from time to time my g-f has suggested we do this for them, and we get to do it to go out on dates every month. When or if you do, make sure the time is as convenient for you as possible, that way you can enjoy it as much as possible.
2007-01-20 16:20:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be the best aunt you can be. Even if you can only take the kiddos for five minutes, your sister will love it! Spoil the heck out of the kids. Five mintues to a mom is the world! alot can get done when the kids are gone. Im a single mom of an 8yr old. I love my little breaks from him.
2007-01-20 16:10:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Offer to help pay for college expenses.Have you thought of adoption or fostering.There are heaps of children that need some love.Sorry if I put my foot in it and I know that this is a sensitive issue.Youu could offer to have them during the holidays and take them out.Does your sister know about your situation?
2007-01-20 16:17:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too am not a mom. I don't know how Moms can work and devote their time to their kids. The best thing to do is spread your love and give them the attention they don't always get.
2007-01-20 16:14:19 · answer #6 · answered by tcandshadow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gosh. i wish you were my sister! OFFER TO BABYSIT!!! that is the best thing you can do. if thats not possible then offer to run errands for your sister. you'd be amazed how the simplest little trips to the store can turn into major tasks when you have to haul kids with you. you can also do laundry for her- if she has kids and a job i'd be willing to bet theres plenty of that laying around.
p.s.- i'm jealous! ;-)
2007-01-20 16:13:54 · answer #7 · answered by sarah s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am like you I was never able to have children of my own. So I also have neices and nephews, and every chance I get I bring them to my home and they stay with me for a couple of hours and this gives the mom a break for awhile, and I get to spend some quality time with them.
2007-01-20 16:09:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You might consider having a "date night" where you keep the kids for your Sister's and BIL's to go out to eat or the movies or whatever they want to do for a night off. Geez sometimes it would be nice just to have a night where I didn't have to worry if I was making to much noise.... ummm you know. :)
2007-01-20 16:42:05 · answer #9 · answered by Karen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My uncle doesn't have kids, and he puts money in mine and my siblings college accounts and really goes the extra mile Xmas and stuff like that. Just do anything you can.
2007-01-20 16:13:27 · answer #10 · answered by Laureneliz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋