Aunts rule! I was thinking the other day that when people with children hope for their kids’ futures, I assume they want them to be and do whatever they dream of. Hopefully, no one looks at a cute kid and thinks “just the one compulsory life path for you little lady!” And yet there is this tension around whether women without children are living reduced lives or experiencing less overall love under some kind of curve. Kids deserve to grow up to be all kinds of people, so we should be happy there are all kinds of people. It is for the best that we are various.
Exactly this!!! Exactly. What I’ve been thinking about (as well as the 🥐 arms) is how everyone always says “it takes a village” to raise a kid but we don’t talk that much about who might be in the village. Like, one of the villagers could be a really loving auntie, for example!!! Who would not have much time or energy if she was also a mum……. Ya know?
Loved this perspective. In college I was voted "Most Likely To Be The Rich Aunt We Send Our Children To Every Summer" and I've never been able to shake the off (in a good way!) Happy to know I am not alone!
Omg that is iconic. What a fantastic title/prediction. I would’ve been so happy with this, you should be!!! We didn’t vote for stuff like that at school but I suspect mine might’ve been something like Most Likely To Write A Book About Dogs which has also turned out to be accurate
I loved this so much and feel exactly the same. I have so much love to give too and now it is concentrated on my nieces and my nephew. My nieces sometimes see my breasts and ask where my children are! They’re confused that I would have breasts but no kids! I say ‘If I did have children I wouldn’t have enough time for you guys and that would not be right in the world’ 🥰
This is so cute and funny. And I think it’s great for kids to grow up knowing people who don’t become parents, so they know there are different ways to do life. And different types of love!
🫡 a salute from one child free auntie Katie to another. My tiny niece Lucy does not live in the same city as me but whenever she is playing her favourite game “phone”, it is me she calls in her make believe world. 🥹
I am an auntie to the best little boy who also looked like a croissant for quite a while. He's got me wrapped around his little fingers and when he giggles, it makes me so happy I could cry. Auntie love is a very special thing.
Being an auntie has brought a new joy and perspective to my life. I live with my parents, my brother and my sister and her daughters and it’s amazing to be this presence in their lives. I have never wanted my own children, have never particularly liked children and when my sister got pregnant I never felt like I would be a good aunt. I worried I’d be cold and aloof because I ‘wasn’t good with children’ but the minute she had them I was overcome with love and joy. I love hanging out with my 8 year old niece and listening to Taylor Swift, I love playing with my 3 year old niece and watching her learn and grow (and watching Bluey with her.) I love experiencing all of this through the perspective of someone who doesn’t have to take all the responsibility for their upbringing. I love being an influence in their lives but not the pressure of being the main influence. I also love that they’ve changed me, so I now feel more comfortable with children especially now my friends have started having children.
It’s so hard to describe the overwhelming love that we Auntie’s carry and give. My relationship with my niece is so special, so sacred, I cannot put it into words. You somehow managed to capture that magical love. My niece and nephews are the little loves of my life, my heart feels like it will explode with all the love I have for them. As a childfree auntie, this is everything. Thank you for sharing this.
Ah Kristen I am so happy you felt I captured it. And I’m so happy you have such a magical relationship with your niece and nephews!!! How lucky we are to have them 🥰🥰🥰
Beautiful! Totally agree. As childfree women we can also be caring and loving to all beings, including kids. Being and aunt & uncle is a beautiful thing! 💛
A fellow auntie and aunteetee here that loves this designation and has absolutely no desire to be a mom. Although I do have desire from time to time to carry a child, I have no desire to birth a human and mom it.
I literally just got off the phone with my nephew who kept counting to twenty to avoid going to sleep. Until he did. This was the highlight of my life. Being aunteetee - waiting until he was ready to go night night.
I love this Katie! As an auntie to one actual niece and many honorary nieces and nephews I feel exactly the same. I simply could not parent with the same enthusiasm, I’d expire! It’s best of both worlds for me and them! 🖤
Aunts rule! I was thinking the other day that when people with children hope for their kids’ futures, I assume they want them to be and do whatever they dream of. Hopefully, no one looks at a cute kid and thinks “just the one compulsory life path for you little lady!” And yet there is this tension around whether women without children are living reduced lives or experiencing less overall love under some kind of curve. Kids deserve to grow up to be all kinds of people, so we should be happy there are all kinds of people. It is for the best that we are various.
Exactly this!!! Exactly. What I’ve been thinking about (as well as the 🥐 arms) is how everyone always says “it takes a village” to raise a kid but we don’t talk that much about who might be in the village. Like, one of the villagers could be a really loving auntie, for example!!! Who would not have much time or energy if she was also a mum……. Ya know?
Loved this perspective. In college I was voted "Most Likely To Be The Rich Aunt We Send Our Children To Every Summer" and I've never been able to shake the off (in a good way!) Happy to know I am not alone!
Omg that is iconic. What a fantastic title/prediction. I would’ve been so happy with this, you should be!!! We didn’t vote for stuff like that at school but I suspect mine might’ve been something like Most Likely To Write A Book About Dogs which has also turned out to be accurate
ANOTHER ICONIC MOST LIKELY
Perhaps my favourite sentence ver written by you: I’m also very good at certain dance moves but I’m not pursuing a career in dance.
Hahaha Harrie, thank you so much 💁🏼♀️💁🏼♀️💁🏼♀️💁🏼♀️💁🏼♀️💁🏼♀️
I love being an Auntie too. Your nieces (and other small people in your life) are so lucky to have you and your love.
Saaaaammmmmmm 😭😭😭😭thank you so much lovely xxx
I loved this so much and feel exactly the same. I have so much love to give too and now it is concentrated on my nieces and my nephew. My nieces sometimes see my breasts and ask where my children are! They’re confused that I would have breasts but no kids! I say ‘If I did have children I wouldn’t have enough time for you guys and that would not be right in the world’ 🥰
This is so cute and funny. And I think it’s great for kids to grow up knowing people who don’t become parents, so they know there are different ways to do life. And different types of love!
🫡 a salute from one child free auntie Katie to another. My tiny niece Lucy does not live in the same city as me but whenever she is playing her favourite game “phone”, it is me she calls in her make believe world. 🥹
This phone thing is so cute I could cry 😭😭
Ikr? Little baby 🥹
Auntie Katieee!!!
I am an auntie to the best little boy who also looked like a croissant for quite a while. He's got me wrapped around his little fingers and when he giggles, it makes me so happy I could cry. Auntie love is a very special thing.
Oh my god the giggles!!!!!! Best sound in the world
As an auntie to 8 nieces and nephews, while single and without my own children, I love this so much! You have captured “auntie love”.
Thank you so much, Gwen, I’m so happy you think so. 8!!!! Wow
Being an auntie has brought a new joy and perspective to my life. I live with my parents, my brother and my sister and her daughters and it’s amazing to be this presence in their lives. I have never wanted my own children, have never particularly liked children and when my sister got pregnant I never felt like I would be a good aunt. I worried I’d be cold and aloof because I ‘wasn’t good with children’ but the minute she had them I was overcome with love and joy. I love hanging out with my 8 year old niece and listening to Taylor Swift, I love playing with my 3 year old niece and watching her learn and grow (and watching Bluey with her.) I love experiencing all of this through the perspective of someone who doesn’t have to take all the responsibility for their upbringing. I love being an influence in their lives but not the pressure of being the main influence. I also love that they’ve changed me, so I now feel more comfortable with children especially now my friends have started having children.
Omg Lauren I love this so much! Thank you for telling me about it (and setting the tone for comments on this post 🙏🏻)
They’re lucky to have you!! How good is Bluey, especially the omelette episode
How good is Taylor, obviously
I started singing Folklore to the older niece when she was a few weeks old
Being an auntie is so lovely I’m so glad you found it surprisingly easy and cute xx
It’s so hard to describe the overwhelming love that we Auntie’s carry and give. My relationship with my niece is so special, so sacred, I cannot put it into words. You somehow managed to capture that magical love. My niece and nephews are the little loves of my life, my heart feels like it will explode with all the love I have for them. As a childfree auntie, this is everything. Thank you for sharing this.
Ah Kristen I am so happy you felt I captured it. And I’m so happy you have such a magical relationship with your niece and nephews!!! How lucky we are to have them 🥰🥰🥰
Beautiful! Totally agree. As childfree women we can also be caring and loving to all beings, including kids. Being and aunt & uncle is a beautiful thing! 💛
Such a beautiful thing!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰thank you so much for reading - also, isn’t this comment section so lovely? xx
I wish you were my auntie! ❤️
I can be 😂😘❤️
it takes a village and aunties and uncles have a lot of love and support to share
Quite right!! xx
Best auntie / best person. 🥹❤️🥹
😭😭😭😘😘😘😘
A fellow auntie and aunteetee here that loves this designation and has absolutely no desire to be a mom. Although I do have desire from time to time to carry a child, I have no desire to birth a human and mom it.
I literally just got off the phone with my nephew who kept counting to twenty to avoid going to sleep. Until he did. This was the highlight of my life. Being aunteetee - waiting until he was ready to go night night.
highlight of my night*
Aunteetee is such a cute name!! Also that is adorable
I love this Katie! As an auntie to one actual niece and many honorary nieces and nephews I feel exactly the same. I simply could not parent with the same enthusiasm, I’d expire! It’s best of both worlds for me and them! 🖤