When you hear the phrase “raising a child,” the first thing that comes to mind is parenthood, right? Think again – what else? Parenthood again? You’re wrong.
The concept is primarily reserved for parents, of course, but there’s also the other side – the role of other family members, like grandparents. But you’ll admit that the role of an aunt is probably the very last thing that came to mind.
On the Balkans, where I was born, grew up, and lived until a year and a half ago when I moved away, the role of the aunt is somehow negligible. You’ll rarely hear of an aunt who made a special effort in the upbringing of her nieces or nephews. She’s just sort of there – only at birthdays, to bring a gift that, speaking from personal experience, was never particularly interesting. She’s there to call a few times a year and out of courtesy ask how you’re doing. Nobody’s role is being diminished by this post – but unfortunately, that’s how it genuinely tends to work in practice.
At the end of the day, she’s really just a close relative from the family. And that’s that.
You’re wrong. That’s not how it should be.
TetAna is here to nourish Sofka with love
Nineteen months ago I became an aunt – to a little angel named Sofia. On 24.05.2016, completely unprepared in that moment, I got the news: “You’re an aunt.” Maybe I was confused for a second – and then came the greatest joy of my life.
I think that feeling can only be truly understood by someone who is deeply, heart and soul, connected to their brother or sister – to the extent that they live every success and every defeat as their own. That’s exactly how I felt. As if I had, in some way, had a child myself. That feeling soon actually materialized when I first saw her, touched her, breathed in the smell of my little crumb.
Can you love someone that much – after just one encounter? Oh yes. That’s auntie love.
On the Balkans, the Aunt Is Only There for Birthdays
As the first months went by, I happened to be absent – and it hit me hard. Watching a child grow up through a phone screen – anyone who says that doesn’t hurt is lying.
But then the moment comes when you’re there – and everything before it gets erased. TetAna started living with the little crumb in October of last year.
How do you feel when you’re woken up every morning by the beautiful, gentle face and the tiny smile of your niece? How else – but ready to give her everything in the world. Starting with: boundless love, because that’s what matters most in our vocation.
Auntie Love — A Special Category
Super TetAna is here!
Why do I consider myself a super aunt – or Super TetAna (which is actually something of a personal title of mine)?
Aunt Ana = TetAna!
Getting that title isn’t enough just by being related to the child by blood – you have to actually earn it.
Super TetAna — What It Actually Means
Even though I’m a student abroad, living independently, working two jobs, trying to support myself – with the greatest support of my family, of course, without whom I would never have gotten to where I am now (where I currently sit in the library on my break) – I give every possible free moment to Sofia.
Super TetAna is there to step in for Mum and Dad for a few hours so they can study, get through a million obligations, or simply takes her to kindergarten because they have lectures. She’s also there to take her for regular walks, feed her, change her. She nibbles and kisses Sofia to death – because she can, and nobody will stop her. No, really.
In short, dear aunts: be the child’s second (third) parent. Isn’t that somehow really our role?! Of course it is!
In the texts that follow I’ll go chronologically through all of Sofia’s growing up alongside me – because this isn’t just one statement: “I’m the aunt of little Sofia” and that’s where it ends. It’s an entire process, running parallel to my sister and brother-in-law’s parenting, which naturally comes first.
Welcome to the S-TetAna journey!
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