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Originally Added: April 27, 2011

'Savvy Auntie' - It's Not Just A Book, It's A Movement

The "Savvy Auntie" is a great book for all non-mommies. (Courtesy Photo: 5WPR)

Southampton - Amazingly, nearly 50 percent of American women don't have biological children; yet, most of these women still enjoy the presence, privilege, and love of children in their lives. This all-important tribe of women are the Aunts - and they are a vital part of the American Family Village. As the original Savvy Auntie and founder of massively popular web community, SavvyAuntie.com, launched in July 2008, Melanie Notkin has quickly emerged as the voice of an ever-growing movement. A social media entrepreneur with more than 42,000 fans on Facebook, and almost 15,000 followers on Twitter, Melanie was recently named one of the 10 Power Women in Social Media by Shine.Yahoo.com.

Melanie's debut publication, "Saavy Auntie: The Ultimate Guide for Cool Aunts, Great-Aunts, Godmothers, and All Women Who Love Kids" (William Morrow; hardcover $24.99), encompasses tips on everything from "what to expect when she's expecting," how to facilitate "QualAuntie" playtime with your niece or nephew, and disenfranchised grief for those who do not have children but want them, to create the first all-inclusive guide to aunthood.

When Melanie welcomed her first nephew into the family, the overwhelming love and devotion she felt as she stood in the delivery ward, carefully cradling her newborn nephew, inspired her to learn more about the influential role aunts have in helping shape a child's life. But she was hard-pressed to find resources for non-moms who have children in their lives by relation and by choice. After realizing that there were many women just like her, Melanie took it upon herself to create a unifying lifestyle platform for the modern, cosmopolitan American woman. She dubbed these women PANKs®: Professional Aunts No Kids.

PANK®- Professional Aunt No Kids: The New Modern Woman

 • 46 percent of women through age 44 do not have children*
 • 14 percent of first time moms are age 35 or older
 • 18 percent of women aged 40-44 are childless, up from 10 percent in 1976

*2008 U.S. Census Fertility Data: Data looks at women through age 44 only.

Drawing from sound psychological guidance, expert testimonials, and practical anecdotes from real aunts: 'Savvy Auntie' smartly explores the evolving role of the aunt and the changing nature of family in a modern era - it is a true celebration of aunthood.

The Savvy Experts Include:
Dr. Miriam Greene: Hosts Doctor Radio on Sirius Channel 114 and XM Channel 119. Fun fact: Dr. Greene also played an ob-gyn on TV. She delivered Miranda's baby, Brady, on "Sex and the City."

Rosemarie Truglio, Ph.D: VP of Education and Research for "Sesame Street."

Carley Roney: Founder of The Knot.com and TheBump.com.

Stephanie Baffone, LPCMH, NCC: A grief counselor who discusses disenfranchised grief for childless women.

Dr. Christiane Northrup: Bestselling author of "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing."

Alexis Martin Neely: Founder and CEO of the Family Wealth Planning Institute.

Lyss Stern: Founder of New York City's social network, www.divalyssciousmoms.com, and editor-in-chief of Observer Playground Magazine.

About the Author:
Before developing Savvy Auntie, Melanie was an interactive marketing and communications executive for global Fortune 500 companies, including New York Times Digital and American Express, as well as L'Oréal. She is a graduate of McGill University in Montreal, Canada where she was born and raised. She is a Savvy Auntie and Auntie by Relation (ABR) to a number of wonderful children who are the loves of her life. She is also an Auntie By Choice (ABC) to all of her friends' kids, who come in a very close second. Melanie resides in New York.

From 5WPR


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