aunts and uncles who are kids

Do you think a child should call an aunt or uncle by those titles if the aunt and uncle are still kids themselves? Ex: aunt emma is 6 and uncle Brian is 8. Should your child use the titles when addressing them?

Message edited 5/27/2012 9:14:50 AM.

Re: aunts and uncles who are kids

I'm 5 years apart from my oldest nephew and he calls me aunt for as long as I can remember.

Re: aunts and uncles who are kids

I was an aunt at 2 years old! lol. I am one of 5 siblings and 3 are from my mom's first marriage so there is a 13 year age gap between #3 and #4. Anyway, my 2 older nephews and niece who are very close to my age do not call me aunt. It would have been too weird growing up calling me aunt.

Re: aunts and uncles who are kids

No. DH has a half brother who is 7 (3.5 years older than DS). DS now understands that the 7 year old is his uncle, but the 7 year old doesn't want to be called uncle. DH and I are totally fine with that.

Re: aunts and uncles who are kids

I have four siblings. The oldest is 14 and the youngest is 9. They totally love being called uncle or aunt so we definitely wikk encourage it when DS gets older.

Re: aunts and uncles who are kids

My kids don't. They have an uncle only a couple years older and a few other young aunts and uncle. I do say to them "can you go give this to Aunt Charlotte", but they don't say Aunt Charlotte while talking to her.

Re: aunts and uncles who are kids

My brother was 12 and my sister was 8 when dd was born and she always called them aunt and uncle. My FIL has a nephew 4 years younger and he is called uncle. My grandfather has an uncle that is a few years younger then him and he always refers to him as uncle !! That I find strange/funny though.

Re: aunts and uncles who are kids

My aunt is actually 6 weeks YOUNGER than me and I've always called her aunt.

Re: aunts and uncles who are kids

Yes they should call them Aunt and Uncle. Because that is what they are. Its not an honorary title. Its a factual relation.

Re: aunts and uncles who are kids

Ive never been in that situation or had that in my family, but to me it seems odd to call someone your age aunt or uncle. Althougvh I agree it is a family relationship rather than an honorary title, technically, I think it is still used as a term of respect when you call someone "Uncle Bill" as in "Uncle Bill can you please pass the mashed potatos". If you are speaking to your contemporary who is more of a friend your age than an older relative I think it would be odd to use the aunt uncle designation, however, of course when you are referring to the person to a third party or whatever, they are your "Uncle Bill"

Re: aunts and uncles who are kids

My uncle is only 5years older than me and I call him by first name in person, but referred to him as Uncle when talking about him. I call all my aunts and uncles by first name.

Re: aunts and uncles who are kids

I'm a few months older than my oldest niece and she doesn't call me "aunt", that would be weird for us. It's weird enough hearing her call my dad "grandpa"

Re: aunts and uncles who are kids

it depends on the Aunt & Uncle...

my grandmother was one of 16, my mother was the oldest and her youngest Aunt was 2 years older than her.

she wanted the Aunt title (because that is what she was)... unless they went out partying, then she was just "Elli"

but my mother being the "itch" she was would call her Aunt El just to spite her


so yes, they should be called Aunt or Uncle, unless the child is old enough to express they don't want to be called that

Re: aunts and uncles who are kids

No. My niece has an uncle who is a year older than her. She calls him "Uncle B---"

I find it ridiculous.