Experiences > toys
Do something with them rather than just give them something.
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I've got 3 kids, you want the simple answer? Show interest. You probably think whatever show they're watching is idiotic, and I can almost guarantee the music they're into will give you a migraine (trust me, I know, my kid listens to mumble rap). Here's the thing: It's extremely important to them. So, take the time to learn what they're into and don't be negative about it - they'll love you for it.
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I'll add my advice to you which is... be a good influence and role model for the kids in your life.
Sure, one day, you'll be an adult and want to have fun and experience life, but just try to not have the things you do in your early 20's carry with you for much longer.. mostly drugs and alcohol, or any other vices you might have.
When I got older, I realized my uncle's actually weren't that great of people and were really irresponsible, though I loved and looked up to them when I was younger.
I do have one uncle who amazing. Takes care of himself and is someone I can learn from. Be that guy.
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The thing about kids is that there’s a desire to build something meaningful, but their idea of meaningful is very different from ours.
My niece is never gonna remember my advice about anything or my attempts to take her to museums or expose her to amazing ideas. You know what my niece remembers? That time that I sprinkled paprika on a dish to make it look fancier. She remembers peeling garlic with me. She remembers finding a caterpillar on a trail.
You’re gonna spend your whole life buying kids expensive toys only to have them play with the box the toys came in. Both literally and metaphorically.
Kids don’t FaceTime. I used to keep sock puppets for my nieces to FaceTime with, because they’ll talk to me for five seconds maximum but they’ll talk to a stuffed bear FOREVER.
Maybe try sharing letters and drawings - poems, etc. A letter is more exciting to a kid than facetiming. Try to create experiences for them from a distance - I get my niece tickets to local theater productions, and so even though we’ve never watched a musical together she considers musicals our thing.
Also, don’t be afraid to be a moron. Children love an adult who is willing to play the fool.
What are your interests? Sometimes it helps to just bring a kid into your world.
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It's the parent's job to teach the kid right from wrong.
It's the Uncle's job to teach the kid cool from lame.
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Be a mixture of friend/father/older brother, hard leaning on the friend side. Let them bend the rules, but not break them. Have fun with them in a way that their parents can't/wont'. I think it is more important as they get older the role of being an uncle/aunt, but when they're kids it's kinda easy. When they hit their teenage years, that's when the role becomes a lot more nuanced and you can fill in where their parents can't necessarily give them exactly what they need.
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