Do you as an aunt reach out to your niece(s)/nephew(s)?

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I'm asking because my auncle died early in the morning and although I feel bad for my father (he was his younger brother) I can't feel as I think I should. My uncle never reached out to neither my sister or me. I have a nephew on my side of the family and three nieces and a nephew on my husband's side. I'm very close to all of them and try to make sure they know that I care about them. Sometimes adults neglect this kind of relationship because they take for granted the other person or simply b/c they don't like either the mom or the dad but at the end it is the children who suffer more. We often speak about parents or grandparents relationships but aunts and uncles are as important in a child's life.

I remember to have spoken to my uncle twice in my lifetime and I'm so sorry because early in the morning I lost the chance to getting to know him better. Don't make the same mistake, people never run out of love so shower the children in your life with your love and let them know that you care. It is the best gift an uncle or aunt can give.

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Permalink Reply by Rose Jansen on November 15, 2008 at 6:10pm: I'm sorry about your loss in both ways. I think about that sometimes since I am very close to some of my nieces and nephews and some not. My aunts and uncles have never made any attempt to contact me through the years but I have taken the time to visit with many of them at my husbands suggestion. His entire family has always been close though mine has not. While it is disappointing it is just a fact and the beauty of life is that whether your loved ones are blood relatives or people you meet everyday the important thing is that you appreciate the people that you do come in contact with.

Hmmm, thank you for this reminder, though. I haven't contacted those aunts and uncles by even a Christmas card for awhile. I think I'll be sure to do that this year. :-); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jazzy on November 16, 2008 at 10:24am: My niece's are all babies, but I do my best to reach out to them. I send cards, gifts etc. If they were more local, I would try to be more involved, but they are across the country.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by TheScrappyMama on November 16, 2008 at 1:36pm: I just wish I had nieces and/or nephews! My hub's sister is the only one of our siblings with kids and we are not close to her at all (various reasons), so I basically don't have any. :-( I would love to be the rockin' aunt because I have one that I am so close to!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kendra Kuhlmann on November 17, 2008 at 2:17pm: You are so right. I am very close with a couple of my aunts and and uncle. I grew up very close to my cousins, and I knew I was always welcome at their homes. It was with one of those aunts that I shared my deepest, darkest secrets while growing up. I was so happy to have a loving adult with whom I could share such closeness and trust.

I try to keep a close relationship with my nieces and nephews, but I have to admit that I'm not very good at it, as I can barely find time to keep a close relationship with myself.

I think that we all need to slow down and take some time to love ourselves and those around us. Everyone is too *busy* anymore...

My goal: This summer I plan to have my nieces and nephews over as much as possible! I know my toddler will love the attention just as much as they will :)

Thanks so much for the reminder and wake-up call, Mary!; ▶ Reply to This