Navigate the magical (and messy) first year of aunthood. From the first cuddle to the first step, get essential advice on safety, soothing, and building a secure attachment with your new niece or nephew. The official companion content for the Gold Family Playbooks release, Auntie of the Year.
If you are an aunt with a busy life, you probably know the feeling of guilt. You feel guilty that you do not have enough time to visit your new niece or nephew. You worry that your visits are not long enough to make a real difference. You want to be a present and loving […]
Why a 20-Minute Visit is Better Than a 3-Hour Stay (An Aunt’s Guide to Bonding) Read More »
Your little niece or nephew is on the verge of toddlerhood, and suddenly, they seem to understand so much more. You wave goodbye as you leave, and this time, a tiny hand waves back. You ask them where their nose is, and a chubby finger points in the right direction. It feels like you are
More Than Just a Clap: An Aunt’s Guide to Baby Gestures Read More »
The world looks very different when you are suddenly standing up. In what feels like the blink of an eye, your niece or nephew has gone from crawling on the floor to pulling themselves up on everything in sight. They are now “cruising” along the furniture, teetering on the verge of taking their first independent
Baby’s First Steps: An Aunt’s Guide to the Wobbly Fun Read More »
Just when you are getting used to your niece or nephew’s social smiles and giggles, a new behavior might pop up. The baby who used to happily go to anyone now buries their head in your shoulder when a new person says hello. They might even cry when a well-meaning stranger gets too close. This
Stranger Anxiety is a Good Sign: An Aunt’s Guide to Attachment Read More »
The quiet days of your niece or nephew playing happily on a single blanket are officially coming to an end. One day they are rocking on all fours, and the next, they are halfway across the living room. The mobile baby stage has begun, and it is equal parts thrilling and terrifying. As your little
Welcome to the Floor: The Smart Aunt’s Secrets to Crawling Read More »
Just as you have gotten used to the sweet coos and giggles of your 4-month-old niece or nephew, they start to add new tricks to their repertoire. Suddenly, they are wiggling with purpose, reaching for everything in sight, and one day, they manage to flip themselves over. This is a whole new world of movement
Rolling and Grabbing: An Aunt’s Guide to Playtime (4-6 Months) Read More »
Welcome to what many call the “golden age” of babyhood. Around the four-month mark, the sleepy newborn phase fades away, and a vibrant little personality emerges. You are about to meet a truly social baby. This 4-6 month stage is pure magic for an aunt. The crying lessens, the sleep improves, and the interaction explodes.
An Aunt’s Guide to Your Giggling, Cooing, Social Baby (4-6 Months) Read More »
In the early weeks of aunthood, you spend so many precious moments cuddling, shushing, and just watching your new niece or nephew. You study every tiny feature. Then, you see it—a little twitch at the corner of their mouth while they sleep. But what about that first, heart-melting real smile? That magical moment is a
An Aunt’s Guide to Baby’s First Smile (A 7-Week Milestone) Read More »
You’ve waited months to meet your new niece or nephew, and now they’re finally here! But this brand-new little person is tiny, delicate, and often very loud. They mostly sleep, eat, and cry. You might be wondering, “What do they really need from me right now?” Welcome to the “fourth trimester.” This is the name
Your Auntie Superpower: How to Soothe Your Newborn Niece or Nephew (0-3 Months) Read More »
When you look at your tiny new niece or nephew, your first instinct is to protect them. You want them to feel safe, loved, and completely secure. But have you ever wondered what a baby’s sense of safety actually relies on to truly thrive? The answer is simpler than you might think. It boils down
How an Aunt Builds a Baby’s Sense of Safety Read More »
