6 reasons why uncles and aunts are so important in children’s lives

If you have nephews, it is quite possible that your phone is full of pictures of them, especially if they are small. After all, aunts love to pamper and show off their nephews to everyone!

The bonds that are created between uncles and nephews are very special, as they are adults and mature, but at the same time they manage to connect very well with the children’s universe. Here are some of the reasons why this relationship is so important to children:

1. They even look like the parents, but with a different view

The uncles are much younger than the grandparents and are very similar in age to the parents of their nephews. In the eyes of a child, the result is a responsible adult like his father and mother, but at the same time more understanding.

These characteristics allow for bonds of complicity and sincerity to be created between uncles and nephews, even if the children have a good relationship with their parents.

2. There is a relationship of trust and responsibility

In general, uncles and aunts have less overreactions than fathers and mothers when children tell them about pranks or even when their first crushes begin to appear. Thus, children feel more comfortable with their uncles to talk about certain topics, whether good or bad experiences.

At the same time, uncles and aunts remain part of the family and care as much about the children’s well-being as parents do. If there is a situation that threatens the safety of their nephews, uncles are still responsible adults who will know what to do.

3. Aunts and uncles are the perfect balance between protecting and allowing

The relationship between uncles and nephews is more relaxed than between parents and children for an obvious reason: uncles have no obligation to raise and educate. That way, they can be more permissive and make children happy who want to eat dessert before lunch, for example.

At the same time, uncles and aunts are adults and are seen as authority figures by children. So, when uncles deny a request that could be harmful in some way, children tend to understand and respect it.

4. Aunts and uncles have the best stories about their parents’ pasts

Maybe your mom will never tell you about the day she jumped out the window to walk with her boyfriend, but your aunt will tell you and she’ll still laugh! As they are primarily responsible for raising children, parents sometimes feel the need to maintain a certain seriousness, avoiding “setting a bad example”.

Aunts and uncles, on the other hand, can give themselves the right to tell funny and not very complimentary stories, including about their nephews’ parents. This is not to say that the uncles will break important rules for the family, but rather that they are much more flexible.

5. They know the entire family background of their siblings and nephews

Aunts and uncles are the best people to reminisce about family history. After all, not only do they know their nephews from birth, but they also know their mother or father from a very early age.

This gives aunts and uncles a broader view of the parent-child relationship, which allows them to act as excellent mediators when conflict arises between generations.

6. Uncles are unconditional friends for life

Of course, there are cases of friendships that last a lifetime, but it is quite rare to keep the same friends from childhood to adulthood. As time goes on, we often realize that the kindergarten friend no longer has anything to do with our current moment.

With uncles and aunts, the friendship relationship is much more lasting. They know how to be parents and friends according to the occasion and accompany our changes throughout life. When nephews are little, aunts and uncles are great for playing games, taking them to the park, eating ice cream, giving the best gifts and sharing children’s adventures.

Then, as the nephews grow, aunts and uncles are the best people to advise on new situations and share their experiences. They represent a balance between the maturity of those who have been through it and the understanding of those who know that the problem is part of development.

In short, aunts and uncles are the perfect mix between responsibility for the well-being of their nephews and the freedom that allows them to break a few rules every now and then. They are a source of love and security that extends beyond the parents, increasing the circle of protection around the child.