Uncle for the First Time

[BrumJim]

I'm over 40.
I married an only child, and my sister remained single for a long time, but finally, whilst some people my age will be looking forward to being a grandparent soon,
I'M AN UNCLE!!
8lbs 7.5oz, IIRC, Laura Jean. Saw her for the first time today - born last night at 11:00 (just over 24 hours ago, as I write this).

Any advice as to what Uncle duties are?

 

[MossCommuter]

Any advice as to what Uncle duties are?

to spoil immeasurably and buy noisy toys

 

[col]

Congrats, and embarrass them as much as poss when they are older.

 

[biggs682]

uncles are brill , you just hand child back when it starts crying etc etc .

enjoy it i have 3 niece & nephews all in there 20's and they still remember all the tricks i use to do on them at xmas and birthdays when they were young , ie give them bin liner outfits , etc etc

 

[Arch]

to spoil immeasurably and buy noisy toys

This....

I live a couple of hundred miles from my nephews and their Mum and Dad, so I see them in short bursts when I go to visit. My sister seems very grateful just to have them watched and entertained (they are 4 and 2) so that she can do other stuff about the house in peace!

 

[Arch]

Oh, and congratulations!

 

[NormanD]

congratulations!

 

[marafi]

Congratulations on your niece! Considering her weight she is a very healthy baby girl! Well done to your Sister!

Play with her lots and lots i think she will be glad when she gets older.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Congratulations!

I never saw much of my nephew and niece because they grew up on the far side of Canada but we (at least, I think it's mutual) always enjoy being together whenever we find ourselves on the same continent.

I am a granddad though and there are similarities - the immediate, constant worries fall to the parents, your role is to have fun with them, care for them but without stepping on the parents' toes, and leaving the child with a little more independence - you'll be a bit of the wider world to them yet still safely within the family. In fact, it can seem unfair on the parents because you get all the pleasure and they get the stress. Little Isabella, 18 months, will play happily with me all day without a complaint and then, when her mum gets back, she can be suddenly very needy towards her.