My Niece Went to the Potty! TMI?
A few weeks ago, I shared the news via Twitter that my niece used the potty for the first time. Was it TMI? Totally. Did anyone of my followers care? I seriously doubt it.
Lately, I’ve encountered moms and fellow-aunties that seem to ask a ton of questions about the children in my life. I find myself blabbing away a story about Caroline or sharing Aidan’s latest and greatest moment. I think part of it is a natural curiosity to compare notes with their own kids and discuss shared experience.
Obviously, I understand the inclination to talk about the children in your life (obviously—I have this column!). But why do I feel the need to babble off random details about my nieces and nephew? Why did I bust out photos of children that aren’t even mine at my ten year high school reunion? Why is my screensaver a montage of photos of somebody else’s kids? As a single woman, why am I spending so much time talking about diapers when I’m not the one who has to change them every day?
Because I am a proud! I think that everything these kids do is amazing, even if it’s something that’s become second nature to me. Sure, sometimes I like to brag but I think all kids are different, which is what makes them so special. I don’t really think you can measure what a great person a child will be based on the age they walk or potty train. While these are milestones worth celebrating, it isn’t a bad thing if a child might need a little extra time or an extra push to get to a goal.
How much is too much?
Plus, all of this sharing with other aunties makes me feel involved. It’s like we aunties have a special club where we can chit chat about babies without the stress of actually having to worry about the day to day stuff. In a way, we are like cheerleaders for the kids. We don’t play the game but we are there rooting them on, even when things might get a little tough.
Is it ever too much? Is there a line that, as an aunt, I shouldn’t cross? Sure. I totally went overboard with the tweet about the potty (even if my sister and BFF both announced their kid’s toilet training on Facebook). And in reality, I know sometimes people could care less and they would rather discuss what kind of cocktails we plan on ordering that evening.
So to make everyone happy, here’s what I’m gonna do. I promise to keep the kiddie talk limited to only major events. I will stop divulging details about toilet training, baby food, teething and onesies. I swear I will only whip out pictures if they are really, really cute (Ha! Got you there since they are all adorable!). And lastly, I will give my undivided attention when others talk about their kids, nieces and nephews. After all, we should all get our fair share!
Editor's Note:
How much is too much talk about our nieces and nephews? Do you find you talk too much about them? Even the so-called mundane details that somehow mean so much to us? And can aunts get away with showing off their nieces and nephews in a way parents can't?