United Through Reading Isn’t Just for Mom and Dad!

July 24, 2015

Happy National Aunt and Uncle Day! That’s right, today marks National Aunt and Uncle Day, a day to celebrate the special place in our hearts often filled by our parents’ siblings. There is no better day than today to remind you that United Through Reading isn’t just for moms and dads who are serving in the military. It is for all types of family members who have special children in their lives while they are called away for active-duty assignments, training or deployment.

For aunts and uncles, United Through Reading is the perfect way to make sure that you maintain that special bond with your nieces and nephews while you’re away. Don’t take it from us though, take it from YN3 Jocelyn King, who used United Through Reading to stay in touch with the special kids in her life who call her Aunt.

I am so thankful for the United Through Reading Program. I myself do not have any children but I have one nephew who is my Godson and my sister is pregnant with my second nephew/niece. I am one excited Aunt! I have read books to my nephew for the past 2 years and have also read books to my sister for the growing baby inside her. Just knowing I can have some sort of presence in their lives at this early stage is comforting. Last year I missed my nephews first birthday. I read him some birthday books and my brother played it for him on his birthday.

My brother and sister-in-law have made sure to play the videos of me reading to my nephew often. Last patrol when our cutter pulled into a port, I was able to get wifi and I skyped with my family. When my nephew saw me on the screen he grabbed a book and ran up to the screen as if to hand me a book to read. This was such a heart lifting moment, knowing my nephew remembered me reading to him. I look forward to reading more books to my nephew and to my sister’s tummy. Thank you so much for this great connection to my family while we are apart. It means the world to me and I know it means so much to them as well. I would love for people to know what United Through Reading has done for my family and I.   — YN3 Jocelyn King, USCG

Remember, just because you’re not a parent doesn’t mean United Through Reading isn’t for you! Visit unitedthroughreading.org and click on “Make a UTR video” to start reading to a special child in your life, today!