I have five nephews and five nieces. Only four of them live in Chicago. The two oldest—in their 2os—and two boys, ten and 8. Ever since I returned to Chicago from Puerto Rico (about eight months now) I’ve been heartbroken at the fact that Michael, the 10 year old, no longer wants me to kiss or hug him. He has deemed himself too “cool.”
Because I understand his pre-teen need to be cool, I try to resist torturing him with hugs and kisses in public, though it’s a different story when we’re alone or with just family. But it doesn’t matter if I catch him and am able to plant a kiss, he immediately wipes it off and though I know it’s not personal, it stings a little. I have a 24 year old nephew and a 22 year old niece so I’ve been through this pre-teen to-teen-too-cool-for-my-aunt stage before and I should be used to it, but I probably never will.
Last night my brother arrived with his kids, two nephews and a niece, ages 11, 8, and 5 respectively. I ran to the car to greet them giving them all and my brother hugs first. Michael came out of the car, walked up to me, and with nine simple words tripled the joy I was feeling. He said, “Titi, you didn’t give me a hug. I’m jealous.” **insert Tia’s cheesy grin**
A Libby Blog 
As an uncle I can say Ive been through the same. My nephew is 5 and the other day while babysitting him, I said “I love you” as I tucked him into bed and walked away. He didnt respond. I say “I love you, Lucas”, a bit louder and he says, I can’t say that to you. Only to mami and papi. OUCH!!!
Aaaw…I feel for you. I’ve had to deal with similar in regards to cooking. My nephew refuses to admit he likes any of my cooking because he doesn’t want to be mean to Mom. It’s the cross of Tias and Tios to bear, I guess. 🙂
Hahaha smooth move.
Don’t worry, is just a phase, in certain age childrens realize their parents are heros to them, so they refuse to recognize the importance of other people, but you should give time to the boy, this is just a hard time, soon you will be kissed by him again.
Hope you don’t mind if we left you the url to our sites, we love your blog and you could be sure we will be reading your entries from now on.
http://www.facebook.com/MiMasecaUSA
http://www.mimaseca.com
Thank you for reading. Yes, they still adore me when it’s just us…
I knew it. 😉 Good Luck, Libby.