COLUMN: Everything I need to know, I learned from being an aunt

As of last Monday, I am the proud aunt of three nephews and two nieces. I am the youngest child in my family and, with the exception of the few babysitting experiences I had while growing up, I have never spent an extensive amount of time with humans younger than myself.

I remember the first day I took on the role of being an aunt. I made it from Logan to Provo in 90 minutes. That was almost three years ago.

In those three years I have learned more about life from my experience with children than I ever expected.

• If you wait long enough to see your parents, (nine months is optimal) then most likely there will be a crowd of family members waiting for you to arrive.

• You really are happier if you will allow yourself time in the middle of the day to lay down with a soft blanket and a stuffed animal and take a nap.

• If you make up words and stick with them, soon enough, everyone else will start speaking your language. In my house, the ABC’s are now they XYZ’s and every agricultural piece of equipment is appropriately named, “a digger.”

• Dads really can fix anything but sooner or later they’ll start asking you to do it for them.

• Grandmother doesn’t like it when you try to eat playdough.

• Sometimes the best thing to do after you finish reading your favorite book is to flip it over and read it again.

• When someone asks you to “be their little helper” they really are just asking you to do something they don’t want to do.

• A one-year-old has the ability to hold the full attention of eight adults in the room for hours.

• Going to Grandmother’s house always means there will be some sort of sweet treat involved when you arrive.

• If, in the middle of a meal, you decide you’re done eating you can spit the rest out into daddy’s hand and he’ll be ok with that.

• At least once a year, put on a party hat and blow out some candles and celebrate living.

• If you fall asleep in the middle of your meal you’ll most likely get your picture taken.

• For a little while, people who love you will clean up all your messes, but eventually, when you’re grown up, you have to clean up after yourself.

• Pictures always work out better if you smile the second you see the camera.

• Aunts are the people you go to when mom and dad are too tired to play and your siblings aren’t old enough to know what to do with hot-wheel cars.

• Whether it’s a blanket with satin edging, your favorite toy or that special someone, identify the stuff that gives you comfort and lean on them whenever necessary

• Even when you don’t believe it, parents often give you good advice, like, don’t walk too close to the stairs, and be nice to your sister, you might need her around later.

• The day usually ends up better if you’re fully equipped with snacks, plenty of liquids, a toy for the car ride and clean pants.

• Learn one new word everyday

• If you insist on eating rice one kernel at a time, by the time you’re done, the rest of your meal will be cold and you won’t have time or energy to try anything else.

• When you do finally take your first step or start to put food in your own mouth everyone will cheer. Take time to enjoy your accomplishment when you succeed at something that you’ve been trying to do for a while.

• When you don’t feel good, nobody is better than Mom.

• Even if that’s all you can afford, cheese is never a sufficient meal on it’s own.

• You have to try new things like sitting in the grass and walking on a trampoline. For a child, everything is new, you’ve got to experiment and give things a couple of tries.

• If you really want something, always go to the aunts or the grandmother, they will never say no.

• There is absolutely nothing wrong with filling your mouth with cookies before, during and after dinner.

Pass it on.

Emma Tippetts is a senior

majoring in print journalism and law and constitutional studies. Email any questions or comments to etippetts@cc.usu.edu.