How to Be a Good Uncle

Children thrive when adults nurture relationships with them. Children need a variety of adults in their life to provide diverse examples of rodels. Studies have shown that when kids become teens, they are more confident of themselves and more likely to make good decisions regarding their future because of the mentors in their lives. An uncle is one of many family members that have a unique opportunity to develop a special bond with his nieces and nephews to be the best uncle possible.

Instructions

1. Act as a mentor. No matter the age of your nieces and nephews, earn their trust. When you become a trusted mentor, you can greatly impact children's lives with encouragement, support and role modeling.

2. Involve yourself in their lives. Get to know about their schools and social activities. Attending school plays, musical concerts and sporting events shows them how much their uncle cares about developing a committed relationship.

3. Encourage open communication with your nieces and nephews. At any age, it's great for kids to know that they have someone special that they can turn to when they have a problem. Whether they have one parent, both parents or even stepparents, you can be the one to listen and to offer advice.

4. Play the role of family historian. While children can get information about their grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles from their parents, you are in the unique position to tell them a little about your sibling, their mother or father. Tell them about what it was like growing up with their parent. You are sure to elicit a chuckle or two.

5. Expose them to new experiences. You probably have interests that their parents do not share. Whether it's fishing, golfing, stamp collecting or art, take them with you sometime and watch their world become a little bit wider.

6. Offer to babysit! Being a good uncle not only entails your relationship with the children, but lending support to their parents as well. They could benefit from a night away from the kids, and this gives you an added opportunity for some one-on-one with them.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if you do not live in the area, do not let that stop you from fostering great communication with your nieces and nephews. Phone calls, letters, cards and emails go a long way to nurturing a long distance relationship. You might even invite them to stay with you for a couple of weeks during the summer.

• If you do live far away from your nieces and nephews, consider giving phone cards as gifts for birthdays and holidays. This will encourage them to call you and will reinforce how much their uncle cares about them.