Unique Challenges of Aunts & Uncles Raising Nieces & Nephews

Unique Challenges of Aunts & Uncles Raising Nieces & Nephews

Are you an aunt or uncle raising your nephew or niece? Or are you curious about the unique challenges these families face? Check out today’s podcast with a panel of four aunts raising their siblings’ kids.

In this episode, we cover:

Who are you raising? How old were they when they moved in? How long have they been with you?
Didn’t ask for this.
- Less of a feeling of obligation than grandparents feel.
Navigating relations with the child’s parents.
- Frustration with your sibling (the child’s parent)
- Long-standing resentment of the child’s parents.
- Navigating boundaries.
Resentment if it’s your spouse’s niece/nephew.
Navigating relations between other family members who have an opinion.
Raising your own kids while raising your nephews and nieces.
- Jealousies
- Behaviors rubbing off on kids already in the family
- Lack of time for the kids who aren’t acting out
Complications of being single and raising a relative’s child.
Putting off having children because of the cost and time commitment related to raising a relative’s child.
Disagreement between parents on whether or not to take in the children.
Uncertainty of how long the children will be living with you.
Joys of raising your nephew or niece