Family Matters
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
I'm normally a lurker, but I couldn't help but share the news that I'm going to be an aunt for the first time! My older brother and his wife are three months pregnant and just shared the news with the family. I'm beyond thrilled for them. I want to be the best auntie possible, but I have ZERO experience with young kids, let alone babies! Any advice on how I can be supportive and involved, even though I'm clueless? Thanks, nesties!
Re: I'm going to be an aunt!
I became an aunty at 16 years old and i wanted to be the best aunt ever and I asked my mom what I could do. Her response was "Just be yourself".
If you want to be very involved in the babies life just be there for the parents and the child. Just make sure you ask if there are things that you could do as you do not want to smother them.
After your niece or nephew is born, ask how they want you to hold the baby, ask if you can help with feedings (if being bottle fed). They will teach you and if you are willing to learn they will really appreciate the help. (At least my family usually does, some families are different)
Remember the gifts that they will remember most are the ones from the heart. Memories are also the best gifts to a child.
Good luck.
Yay!! Congrats aunty adelaide! Well, I consider myself possibly the best aunt ever, so...
Seriously, it is a beyond awesome job! Definitely follow the advice to follow the parents' lead, as far as holding/ changing/ etc. Trust me, after 2 weeks (days), they're not going to care about your lack of experience and just be thrilled that you want to learn and are willing to help!
Also wanted to note that even though you can't understand the feelings of the new parents, it really helped me to make time with just my sis and sil to just talk to them (let them VENT) about new mommy-hood. I've found that sometimes, they really like having a non-mom to spill to, because there's totally no judging and nothing but sympathy and (attempts @) understanding. GL!! Get ready for the awesomest feeling in the world! Really, I can't imagine the ecstasy over my child(ren) b/c of how much I freak over my neices and nephews. The best part is: after a couple hours/ an overnight, you just hand 'em right back over and get to continue in your child-free bliss!
Your excitement is evidence that you are on the road to being the best aunt ever!!! Congrats to you and your family!