I think kids also need to know that there are other adults in the world who can be there for them who *aren't* their parents. Knowing that there are many ways of being adults seems like a positive, horizon-broadening thing.

I took my “honourary nephew” for brunch this past weekend and then helped him register for an alternative university program for this year when he got waitlisted for his first choice (with parents’ enthusiastic support). I started sitting for him and his older brother when he was 1 yr old. 🙂