When I get to spend time with my nephew, as I will for the next few weeks, I can’t help but be overwhelmed (and amazed) by how fast a kid his age picks up on, well, everything. Actions, words, sounds, they’re all just there for the mimicking for two-year-olds.
Being an aunt, of course, we can mostly just have fun but it does occur to me that he’s actually learning, too. And it hits me how cool this is that a child on this planet could actually be learning something from me, someone who happens to feel like I actually know less now than I have ever known before. Meanwhile, I’m spending time with this sponge who is not only learning naturally, but might happen to grow up and recognize this thing he learned from me as normal.
Which is why, when we’re together, I really prefer to concentrate on the important things. Sure, there’s honesty and courage and manners, which he should learn, but he has parents for that. I’d rather teach him something he can use at those times in life when you really need to know what to do.
For example, he has this habit when we’re all sitting at the table right before or during a meal where he’ll slap the palm of his hand down so loudly that everyone at the table will jump, including him. While his mother, my sister, detests this and tells him “no!” I follow up that no with an explanation. I, in fact, believe there is an appropriate time to slap your hand on the table. I tell him it’s not something you do at home with your family at the dinner table, but rather when you’re with your friends at a bar and the song Margaritaville is played. I tell him that then, at that moment, it’s important to slap your hand on the table. Three times. While simultaneously shouting “salt! salt! salt!”
anne says:
Oh you are a FANTASTIC aunt!!
August 13th, 2008 at 11:03 am
anne says:
And I just realized we made use of fantastic at the same time - seems I need a new adjective.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Michael C says:
You may not realize it, but you just became my hero. You taught your two-year-old nephew not only about Margaritaville, but what to yell when he listens to it or (because you are obviously such a great aunt)you take him to a Jimmy concert.
My twins will be 6 next month and I’ve had them listening to Jimmy for about a year. I admire your head start!!
August 13th, 2008 at 11:36 am
The Exception says:
Now that is classic! And what did your sister say?
My daughter is a Little Miss Magic fan from WAY back!
August 13th, 2008 at 11:39 am
sizzle says:
And THAT is why being an Aunt is AWESOME.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Danielle says:
Ah yes…being an Aunt has to be great, nothing like having the ability to influence without being the recipient of those consequences. Now, the important thing to just show him exactly what this all means is to play the song, show him the time and place to say it and slap and make sure he knows what a margarita is, and of course that they are yucky! (rum is so much better than tequila anyway!!)
August 13th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
k says:
Ha! I have to teach my nephew that one!
Seriously though - my friend, a new mother commented recently that her new baby doesn’t know what anything in the world is yet and she gets to teach him it all - how exciting, and scary all at once.
August 13th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Dingo says:
You are teaching him wonderful things. I taught my nieces and nephews things that got them sent to the principle’s office. I guess it’s inappropriate for a four year old to tell her teacher, “Tell it to the hand.”
August 13th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Mel Heth says:
Hahaha that is fantastic. I love teaching my nieces new (and sometimes scandalous) things! And you’re right - it’s so much better to explain the “why”s when you’re doing it.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Nicole says:
It is defintely great to be an aunt. I’m sure your sister loves you teaching a two year old all the good bar tricks.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:15 am
JACC says:
The truth will set him free.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Jacinta says:
That’s hilarious.
Good going.
August 16th, 2008 at 3:48 pm