Until very recently, raising children almost always included the support of extended family and friends. These days, parents often feel terribly isolated as they attempt to meet the needs of their children, whether they are raising them on their own or with a partner.

Sunday, July 26, is the seventh annual Auntie's Day, the day I founded in 2009 to celebrate and honor aunts by relation, aunts by choice to friends' children, godmothers, and all women who play an active role in the life of a child not-their-own.

And as far as the love we give to your kids goes, well, that comes naturally to us. Babies are born from the womb, but maternity comes from the soul. There are many way to be maternal. Thank you for giving us a deeply meaningful way to exercise our maternal muscle.

Halloween means many things to different people. Some consider it a night to slut it up. Others like to ham it up. But back in the day my ever-fun-loving 73-year-old aunt had her own way of observing this classic spook fest.

Babies are born from the womb. Maternity is born from the soul. There are many ways to "mother" a child. Aunthood is as close as it gets.

I'm thrilled for the Prince and Princess on the birth of their royal baby boy, and I am especially happy for Pippa Middleton, Princess Catherine's sister, who has become an Auntie by Relation (ABR) today -- just in time for the 5th Annual Auntie's Day.