• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Todays Mama

Todays Mama

The best of today for and from moms! Parenting advice, family travel, food, technology and current events from a mom's perspective.

  • Parenting
  • Tech & Kids
  • Family Recipes
  • Traveling With Kids
  • Pregnancy & Birth
  • Health & Wellness
  • Pop Culture

Holding Your First Niece

Carina • February 17, 2011
FacebookTweetPin
Comment

This morning I drove for almost two hours to hold my first niece! She’s a tiny 6 pounds and change, with long, downy, strawberry blond hair and a red bow. I’m pretty sure she didn’t come out with the bow, it’s probably just her first accessory.

My brother and his wife looked like all new parents look: worn, happy, and maybe a little like deer in headlights. As soon as I walked into the room my brother, the one who I remember being covered in a slick of dirt from May to October, pointed directly to the anti-microbial liquid dispenser.

Nothing quite prepares you for your siblings becoming parents. These are the people you fought with, you hit with objects, who hit you back, who tattled on you, whom you scapegoated, and you remember with braces, bad acne, and an attitude (which was always worse than yours, right?) And now they are in charge of another human, just like you were.

I’m the oldest and was the first to have children, so I’ve never been an aunt. I wish I could tell my brother everything I’ve learned, but it would take days. Even then, is it our place to try to cram almost a decade of parenting into a few moments? Nope. Plus, they didn’t listen about picking up their stuff before mom got home, what are the chances they’ll listen now? I left him with only one suggestion: be his wife’s biggest cheerleader, help her see she’s doing the right thing, that you believe in her.

(I think he rolled his eyes.)

What has your experience with nieces and nephews been? Were you a parent or an aunt first?

FacebookTweetPin

Related


8 Money Moves Every Family Should Steal from Chara Burgess and Brian Austin Green

8 money lessons from Chara Burgess and Brian Austin Green that every modern couple …

Should You Have Joint Bank Accounts? Pros, Cons, and Modern Alternatives

Should couples have joint bank accounts? Learn the pros, cons, and modern …

9 Secrets of a Happy Relationship: Real Advice from Mel and Chris Robbins

Discover Mel and Chris Robbins’ top relationship advice! Learn practical tips for …

10 Ways to Say No and Stick to It (Without Guilt!)

Learn 10 powerful ways to say no without guilt! Discover practical strategies to set …

How to Become a Better Communicator: Tools for Parents, Partners, and Everyday Life

Science-backed tools from Charles Duhigg to improve your communication with kids, …

8 Habits That Will Change Your Life

8 expert-backed habits from the Mel Robbins Podcast that reduce stress, boost energy, …

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Todays Mama
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • X
  • Parenting
  • Tech & Kids
  • Family Recipes
  • Traveling With Kids
  • Pregnancy & Birth
  • Health & Wellness
  • Pop Culture
  • Home
  • News
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Podcast
  • Privacy Policy

© 2025 · All Rights Reserved

Powered by the BizBudding Publisher Network

Privacy Manager