A tweet comparing the traditional life plan of buying a house, getting married, and having kids with the alternative of becoming the cool uncle has people reviewing their plans for adulthood. When we were younger, we used to think about what growing up was supposed to look like, and we might have an ideal plan. It can feel surprising now that it's so different from what we imagined. Well, the family dinner is not the only place where these questions arise, apparently.
For a lot of people, the first plan still sounds lovely. A home, a partner, children, a dog, a car… A life built together. The awkward part is the deadline people attach to it. At 17, being married by 30 sounds like a reasonable plan. At 27, you would appreciate extending the search. And someone needs to check your availability first.
Meanwhile, the cool uncle path is the most appealing, at least to me. First of all, no deadlines are attached. Basically, the timing depends on your siblings, not you. Your responsibilities as an aunt are less of a burden and more like a fun decision. You can love the kids in your family and also enjoy handing them back when you want to go to sleep in peace. At the same time, you still get the fun outings and birthday surprises. Besides, someone has to buy the loud toys and leave.
Of course, being the favorite relative requires showing up. Your nieces and nephews will love you, but you've got to win the kids over. You have to remember their birthdays, listen to their stories, and take their very specific dinosaur preferences seriously. Their ice cream preferences, too. Turning up twice a year in sunglasses won't secure the position. Remember, there usually is competition. And their other aunt brought stickers. You have to take this more seriously.
Anyway, this entire alternative (plan B) depends on someone else choosing the original plan. You can announce your future as the cool uncle or cool aunt with complete confidence, but your siblings may be making the same announcement.