Hey Nonny

Max pins Cameron--in matching bug pajamas

Lately I’ve had some pretty strong leverage with Cameron. Anytime I need a threat, a bribe, or a bit of persuasive enticement, all I have to say is, “Do you want to see your cousin Max?” This has been working for all types of toddler scenarios: the fidgety diaper-change, the half-eaten lunch, the toys on the floor, and the bolt into the parking lot. All I have to say is, “Hey, do you want to see Max? Then be still/eat your food/pick up your toys/come here!!” And it works. Almost every time.

Because Cameron absolutely adores his cousin Max.

Max is my three-year-old nephew. I officially became an aunt when he was born and he was Abby’s first cousin. But since my sister and I have had boys just a few years apart (with more to come!), it has been so much fun for me to see Max and Cameron become little buddies. Cameron lights up when Max comes into the room. And even if they end up fighting over a toy or pushing each other, they manage to keep playing with no love lost between them.

While I’ve been using this sweet cousin relationship to my advantage as a mom, I can’t help but feel grateful that my kids live close to their cousins. My siblings and I grew up in Utah with all of our cousins and extended family in Arizona. But we visited a lot and some of my favorite childhood memories are of playing with my cousins. We made up dances in the living room, stayed up late watching movies, and played in the pool (or the irrigation ditches if we were all visiting Grandma.) We picked fights with the boy cousins, painted our nails, and got into trouble with our moms for sneaking food or being annoying. As a kid I considered Arizona to be paradise–not because of the awesome pools and orange trees, but because of my cousins.

As my kids grow up, I hope they will always be close to their cousins. I especially hope I can still use Max as leverage while Cameron faces some upcoming hurdles in his young life. I’ve already reminded him that Max has a baby brother, does not need a binkie, and uses the potty. (To which Cameron has replied to all three facts: “Nope, he’s not.” Denial.)

Do your kids love their cousins? Because cousins may just be one of the best things ever.