Actual aunting: New baby edition

My post about raising kids when you're not a parent was a bit vague. So here's some more practical ideas on how I try to do that support. A bit random. And what do I know? Not much! But I try. These ideas are from the point of view of assuming a familial and good relationship with a parent because they are from my point of view. Probably they could apply to close friends. Your mileage will certainly vary. This was going to be one post but immediately got too long so this is the pregnancy and new baby edition. When it comes to new babies a larger proportion of this isn't being an aunt at all - it's being a sister. Much of this is for the parents, not the baby. As aunts and uncles, especially ones without children, we are lucky not to be asked for advice. Have no advice. Accept everything the parents feel and declare. Unless you know it to be actively detrimental. They will probably change their minds anyway. I'd prefer to be seen as supportive. It doesn’t actually matter which model of…