As every women knows, you don’t
have to be a mother to love children. The
New York Times ran an article recently called, “Holiday Bonus: A Beloved Aunt
With Cash”. It profiled Melanie Notkin who created Savvy Auntie (www.savvyauntie.com). It’s a site that
establishes a community for women without children. They can network with other aunties, find
events and get help finding perfect gifts for the nieces, nephews and god
children in their lives.
I think that Ms. Notkin is a
genius! In this age of hustle and bustle what auntie couldn’t use a little
extra help???
Aunts are very special people.
When I was growing up, I especially
loved hanging out with my mother’s friends who didn’t have children. I thought they were so glamorous!
They
treated me like a small person as opposed to a silly child who needed direction.
I was able to drink out of good glasses and eat exotic foods like falafel and
hummus. They also burned incense and asked me my opinion. As a little girl I thought they were so
glamorous. They wore flowing clothes, had arms full of bangles, and always
seemed find something to laugh about. I wanted to be just like them.
My daughter is blessed to have
similar women in her life. My sister and
friends are the kind of women that I would like for my daughter to become. They
are gorgeous, accomplished and generous. They dote on her. They create special
games for her. Even though she’s only two they treat her like a little
lady.
Aunts Help Balance Mothers
They also balance me. For example, my sister gave me a book about potty training and it include an inscription that reminded me that every child is different. Sometimes as a mother, I get so caught up measuring my daughter's progress on the "milestones"--walking, talking, potty training--that I forget that she has never taken this journey before and that she will accomplish these tasks in her own time. However, her aunt makes me remember.
These women, these aunties, who
love children with all of their hearts, give great gifts and tell the children that
their parents were not born lame… They are so important in the lives of
children it’s about time that they got recognized!
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