You can get up in the morning wearing the giant one-size-fits all nightgown with a cow on it, your hair is sticking up all over, you have on no make-up and wearing glasses, and your nephew will tell you that you’re beautiful. And you believe it.

If your young niece is very quiet, she’s probably putting on your lipstick.

Nephews will take apart your flashlight, but they won’t put it back together again. If they ask you for a screwdriver and they’re under the age 15, say no.

You get a fabulous reaction when you ask if Moo Goo Gai Pan is a Pokemon character.

They don’t necessarily remember the gifts you give them, but they remember the time you spent with them.

No matter how old they are, they always love watching “Scooby-Doo.”

If your niece or nephew wants to sleep next to you, you will wake up in the middle of the night hanging off the edge of the bed. It’s easier to get up and get in on the other side than move the child over. You marvel how such tiny bodies can become so large and heavy at night.

Nieces and nephews will point out your most interesting features with incredible honesty, usually at the most inappropriate time. Loudly and in public.

If you wear contacts, be prepared to show several times how you take them out and put them in.

If you can’t get the booster seat in your car right, your 3-year-old nephew will happily explain how to do it.

It is your duty to share any funny and embarrassing stories about your siblings to their children. Point out to your siblings that diaper spelled backwards is “repaid.”

You can eat while sitting on one side of a fast food booth between two of your nieces and nephews because they both have to sit by you.

Aunties, what have you learned over the years? Share your words of wisdom in the comments below.

Janice Marie Simon, MA, CPO