Not too long ago I spent a couple weeks on vacation in Queensland, Australia visiting one of my brothers and spent time with his son, my only nephew. We had so much fun playing games, Lego, riding his bike, (he was riding, I was running around after him, treasure hunting at the beach, visiting the aquarium, army tank museum, markets and just generally just hanging around being together. It did my heart good to spend time with the little guy because he lives so far away I don't see him much; once in the last two years.
He's almost four now and is such a funny little kid: Cheeky, smart, mischievous, caring, gentle, strong, outgoing, kind, generous...He's an all rounder really and I think that's pretty cool.
One of the most enjoyable things we did was story reading which happened each night before bed. It's something his dad would usually do with him but I had the privilege of reading the stories whilst I was there; in fact, the little fellow insisted. OK, I'd be happy to.
He'd select the book and on a couple of occasions chose the same one; there's only so many times one can read Cat in the Hat, but it seems the little munchkin can't get enough of it. We'd settle down and I'd read to him and as I did added some dialogue, involved him, commented about the pictures and make it more interactive for him. He's a smart kid so he added his own observations, most of which were very funny, and we generally had a really great time.
I know you'll say I'm biased, but this little kid is so awesome; I guess a lot has to do with the upbringing he's getting from my brother and sister in-law. They are spending a lot of time with him, exposing him to many varied things and allowing him room to explore, make mistakes and be his own person also. It's a good mix and the kid is turning out well.
I'll admit to being a little worried about the future of the world and society as I feel it's taking a path that won't lead anywhere good. Yes, things change, I get it, but I believe we're running off the tracks in many respects right now and it's not going to end up in a good place for those of us around in twenty, thirty, fifty years and more. I'll be dead of course, but my nephew will not be and it's throughout those years he'll need every edge he can find to navigate what's to come. I think he'll be ok though and I think he's going to grow up into a very good man and I like to think some of my influence and attributes will stick with him.
I found out a couple weeks ago that I'll have this little kid at my house here in South Australia for a few weeks over Christmas and the turning of the new year which will be great. We're not a religious family and Christmas is simply another day albeit an excuse to eat way too much. This year it's going to be awesome though, and a little bonkers, because me and this kid together equals bonkers. Of that there is no doubt!
I've got a few things planned and on the list is nightly story-reading which I'm really looking forward to. He hasn't been told he's coming yet so on our video calls each week I have to be careful not to let the cat out of the bag, but I always ask him what he would like to do if he came to my house and the last time went like this:
Me: So, what stuff do you want to do when you come to my house?
Him: We can do bonkers and play Lego and you can show me your guns.
Me: Cool, we can do that. Anything else?
Him: I can play with your remote control truck and we can have toast.
Me: (Laughing) Yeah, we can do that.
Bonkers is our word...it describes him perfectly and I often call him Mr. Bonkers. He thinks it's hilarious. Doing bonkers, well that could be anything I suppose and I'm looking forward to doing it.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
Any images in this post are my own
Oh my gosh you guys are going to have such a blast! I am sure that you are counting down the sleeps just as much as he is.
He sounds like a good balanced child and obviously it's scary thinking about the futures of kids his age facing some turbulent times, but sounds like he has solid role models which will ensure that he's well prepped more so than others might be. For now, let him be a kid and enjoy the process of watching him grow up, it vanishes so fast.
It should be really good fun, he and I always seem to have a good time no matter what we do. I have a few things planned but it's going to depend on the weather I guess as it could be super hot. I have the whole time off work also so we will have a good deal of time to hang out.
Kids are awesome and I love to read stories to them. It's nice to have a choice though whether to spend time with them or not. I am lucky to have a 6 year old niece and 8 year old nephew nearby, who I practically grew up with and even raised for a while ( they are my twin sister's kids ). Greetings from a kid less uncle of four ;^)
Ah yes, it's so good being an uncle; we can mess up, teach the kids bad stuff, and have few repercussions...that's for the parents to deal with! 🤣
Ok, you know I'm only joking, I take being an uncle very seriously and there's nothing I'd not do for those kids, now and in the future. They're my beneficiaries when I die as I've got none of my own and I hope to have a strong influence on them as their uncle.
You're lucky you have yours close...For me one is in Finland, (I'm in Australia) and the other is at the top of Australia, 4,000km away, and I'm at the bottom of the country. I'm really looking forward to seeing my nephew at Christmas though. Loads planned.
Thanks for your comment.
I actually have two nephews at about 2000 kms away, back in The Netherlands, smae age (6 and 8 ) as my niece and nephew here, in Portugal so I can kind of relate :^) I have seen my nephews a handful of times, in the last 4 and a half years, and man, do they grow up fast.
And yes, being an uncle is a serious job but having fun with the kids and acting like a kid yourself is definitely part of it ;^,)
It's difficult to be so far away from them huh?
Yes, it is, but the same goes for leaving my parents behind and especially my dad - who has been diagnosed with a serious illness ( basically received a deadline ), just after I had moved to another country and has been too weak to travel, since 2019.
We have to focus on our own lives, but it isn't always easy and that is an understatement.
It's tough leaving family behind or being separated. I hope your dad improves. As it turns out, today (1 July) is the day my dad passed away on 2020. He was in a nursing home and I wasn't allowed to see him for five months. It was a little difficult.
Have a great weekend.
Wow that must have been rough...
It isn't expected that my dad's health will improve, he seems to get weaker and weaker but I will try my best to treasure the moments that I can still share with him.
Thank you
Spending time with kids is both scary and fun!
It certainly can be but me and this little lad get along really well and I'm great with kids, despite having none of my own. I guess maybe that's why I'm good with them...I can teach them bad habits, be the fun uncle, then hand them back for their parents to deal with the fallout. Lol.
Ahahhahahah! Nice tactic! I would love to see how families deal with such a problem! 😂
I was with such a little boy recently. I'm pretty good with kids too. But the moment they cry, I can start crying with them! 😂
It's my job as the uncle to teach many bad ways, cause mischief and mayhem, have fun and games...then hand them back to the parents. It's worked well for me as I get all the fun and the parents...well, it's not so good for them.
I like like kids, babies too...but when they cry...Hmm, I had them on. 😁
Toast hey? Sounds like a pretty low maintenance dude :)
Haha, yeah we were talking about toast earlier in the video chat and I guess it stuck in his head. I better make sure my toaster is ready for all the action it'll get.
The repetition is really good for their developing little brains; rest assured that while you were slowly going insane and can probably recite Cat in the Hat by heart now, you were helping him develop reading skills and memory ;D
and if it's any consolation I still have most of One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish memorised and my kids are teenagers
Yay for getting to spend Christmas together!
Yeah, I heard that but...it drives me bonkers! 🤣
It's interesting, when I was in Cairns with him I could see the change daily, the development. My brother often commented on how different he was since I arrived and spent time with him. It's so fascinating to see.
Remote control trucks and toast? This kid has his priorities straight!! Love it 🤣💕
He takes after me...The bad uncle. Lol.
Kids are just lovely 😍
I would be getting my son some storybook soon too
I hope he likes it
I'm sure your child will like having story-time with you.
I hope he does.
I think it's a part I've somehow neglected
Thank you sir, your post is eye opening 🙏
Wow, you had a lovely time with him and you'd be getting more very soon. I was all smiles having this read. Kids are just natural without trying much. It is a good thing he has you as his uncle. Mehn!! Wish I could join the Booker team right now.
He's a good kid, as is my niece, I love them a great deal and would do anything for them, including being bonkers.
This is beautiful..your words are beautiful.
Thank you.
@tipu curate
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Grazie mille.