Emotional intelligence, like sharing, is one of those competencies that’s best acquired early on. Anyone with access to an auntie has an advantage here. But my roundtable guests Pam Covarrubias, Caren Evers, and Lisa Widder all agree that they’ve received just as much as they’ve given when it comes to emotional intelligence. Possibly even more.

Aunties play a significant role in reinforcing a child’s ability to assess, express, and work with their emotions.

 From navigating playground disagreements to sleepover cliques, an auntie can bring into focus aspects of a situation that parents might take for granted–– Caren points out that our ability to observe in this way often means we’re more acutely affected since our time with the ones we love is limited.

It turns out I’m battling some of the same patriarchal messages that my roundtable aunties experienced growing up, such as girls remaining genial at all costs and boys stoic.

Lisa's pleased to see that needle moving. She points out that kids receive more encouragement to explore and examine their feelings in real time now.

Pam says that her role as an auntie is to provide more overt emotional support to her nieces and nephews than she experienced growing up. 

Don’t mind us. We’re just a few aunties vanquishing outdated norms and helping the world cultivate greater emotional intelligence.

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Produced by The Creative Impostor Studios

Edited by Maddie Shewchuk & Andrea Klunder

Technical Director Edwin R. Ruiz

Music Curation & Sound Design by Andrea Klunder

Show Notes by Lisa Widder

Original Cover Art by Cindy Alcantara

Learn more and visit us at ImproveWithAuntie.com