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Julie Hambleton
Julie Hambleton
January 13, 2024 ·  4 min read

Why Kids Need Their Cousins

A cousin is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost – Marion C. Garretty Cousins. The family members you cherish because they’re not just family, they’re also friends you can trust to have your back 100 percent. Having cousins can be especially welcome if your kid is an only child. They get all the joys of having siblings with the added benefit of fewer fights.

What makes grandma’s Sunday dinner so memorable for the kids? Other than her famous chicken pot pie, their cousins, of course! When you and the other adults go on about politics, celebrities, the American school system, the farmer’s market, and so on, you don’t expect the kids to casually chirp in with information on socialist and capitalist economies. They just sit there, bored out of their minds. But a house full of other kids their age, who they’re completely at ease with, is a breath of fresh air.  Here are some perks your kids enjoy when they are close with their cousins.

Read More: Dear Uninvolved Family, I’m Sad You Don’t Care Enough to Know Us

Your cousin is a familiar friend

You don’t have to worry about going all FBI to check out your kids’ playmates before letting them hang out. Chances are, you were in the delivery room when they were born. In fact, they’re like your own kids. 

Sleepovers

Sleepovers become more fun than scary for you. You get the night off to relax. You don’t have to worry about whether or not you did the right thing by letting your child spend the night at a stranger’s place. We’ve all seen those creepy family movies. 

However, this is not the case here. Your siblings are most likely some of the people you trust most in the world. Not to mention, they are going to love your child and treat them like their own. And that’s one guilt-free and enjoyment-laden night for you.

Family and Friends

Cousins are a cross between friends and siblings. Your kid has someone to sneak off with during the boring family dinners and have a little gossip session. Most kids feel more comfortable sharing a secret with their friends than their parents or siblings. However, if they’re close with their cousins, chances are, they’re going to share it with them. 

Besides, even if they fight, just like siblings, they’re bound to bounce back and build a stronger relationship.

Companionship

Most people wait a year or two after their first baby before having another one, leaving an oldest child with limited companions other than you, cartoons, and stuffed animals. If they have cousins, they have best friends from the moment they are born. 

Support

Your kids and their cousins provide a support system for each other. Yes, sometimes they fight like there’s no tomorrow, but they’ll be the ones to protect your kids from bullies. No one messes with their sweet little “bro.”

Schoolmates

Your child already has people to hang out with at school. Remember those first-day jitters? You can definitely calm their nerves by saying, “Remember, Stacey’s going to be there.” 

A bonus is that lunchtime isn’t going to be as stressful. They don’t have to go through the rigorous task of finding a table to sit at. They have one where they fit into, and be surrounded by happy faces. 

Learn By Example

Your kids have so much to learn from their cousins. This is especially true when they are older cousins. They teach your children so much, mostly by example. They share so much with your kids that by the time you have another baby, your older children are more than willing to share their toys, clothes, and other things with the newcomer.

Family Values

Having cousins will instill a sense of family into your kids. This ensures that when they grow up and have their own families, they’ll want to maintain a close relationship with every member of their extended family.

Inside jokes with your cousin

It’s refreshing for your kids having someone to laugh at all those corny inside jokes with. All someone has to say is “Aunt Meg” and they share a knowing look whilst bursting into laughter. You probably don’t know why but that moment is sure to put a smile on your face. 

No matter how you feel about your extended family or family gatherings, you will be attending. This is because now the ultimate reason for attending family gatherings is for your children to have the time of their lives with their cousins. Little kids love their cousins. I’m not being cute or exaggerating here. Cousins are like celebs for little kids. If little kids had a People magazine, cousins would be on the cover. Cousins are barometers of how much fun a family get-together will be. Are the cousins going to be there? Fun! – Jim Gaffigan

Moms and Dads, cousins are more than playmates for your kids. Even if you live far from your extended family, make sure they get to see each other as often as possible.

 Remember, cousins, are like genetically linked best friends. “Special friends from the same family tree.

Keep Reading: Why Raising Kids Without Extended Family Nearby Sucks