Half brothers/sisters

[Mum2Bug]

Bug's dad is now starting to have his 4/5 access visits a year with her but wants to have her when he also has the other two from previous relationship. The 6 yr old boy is not his but treats him as if he is. His 2.5 yr old daughter is Bugs half sister tho. As she is growing up should i refer to them as her brother and sister or half brother/ sister or even step brother/ half sister. Not sure what to do as i dont consider the boy a relative of hers. Would appreciate your thoughts on this!

[mythreelittlemonkeys]

we have from day one of telling DSS and DSD of pregnancy referred to bump as their sister/brother...I dont personally like the half thing - what half ? ...but do know their mother has been reiterating to my DSD that this baby not their real bro/sis so cant win...think of your ex bringing up/treating other child as son just refer to them both as brother/sister and when your own child/if your own child asks questions later then tell them more details...dunoo just think half/step can be used so derogatively and create a barrier between siblings bonding in these situations but hey that only my opinion...:ecomcity:

[Briannabear]

I agree with Georgiem.
I have a half brother and we've always referred to him as brother. He's only 9 and it just seems mean to refer to him as anything else. Besides he's never had shared custody with his dad so he's always been with us - just like my other 'full' brothers. He's just as much my bro as they are if you know what I mean.

[Jem]

my 2 youngest sisters are half sisiters..

But ive always refered to them as sisters.. never as half :)

[Worm'sMum]

I'm with the other girls...My sisters are technically my half sisters as I have a different dad to them, but I have never and would never refer to them as anything but my sisters. You can explain the situation to your DD when she's old enough, but I would refer to the others as her brother and sister - not half...Even though the 6 yr old isn't his, he probably refers to him as 'dad' as your DD would so I would just call him her brother, but make sure you do explain it all to her when she's old enough to understand. JMO:)

[InSaneOne]

no i don't like the words step/half as they put a barrier between the kids. when they are old enough youcan explain the sistuation to them - you guys have different fathers/mothers, etc. but while they are little they won't understand. i think it is nicer just to say brother and sister. i have children that aren't mine naturally. on the weekends when they stay with us we tell bubs that her brother and sisters are coming. i wouldn't have it any other way.

[Crazyfamily]

Hi,
We have always only said brother and sister in our home as well. When my daughter went to her dads he referred to her as his new daughters half sister and my son the half brother. My children are teenagers and understand the situation but were very upset.
Caroline

[MummyCharmzy]

I have a half brother and half sister, both are older than me so therefor have been a part of my entire life and I would be DEVESTATED if they ever called me there 'half sister' in my eyes they are just my brother and sister. They also call my dad, dad and would never dream of calling him there 'stepdad'. He may not be there biological father but he is there dad.

I also have a step brother and stepsister. They have been in my life since I was 16, so for 4 years now. When talking of my family I don't usuaully include them in 'my siblings' but if I do I do refer to them as 'step siblings'

DP and I have been seeing each other since DS was only a couple of months old and DSS was just a toddler, they are 'brothers' all the same. Just as I don't expect either of them to ever call each other 'step' I also don't expect them to call there sisters 'half sisters'. As with my siblings my son calls my DP daddy, he always has as he picked it up from DSS and we wouldnt have it any other way.. once again he may not be DS's biological father but he is his daddy and DP is adopting him when we get married :)

[Mum2Bug]

The problem im having with the whole thing i guess is that she will never grow up really knowing them anyway. I do understand where everyone is coming from tho and its given me some stuff to think about. Ta for that guys. im one of 6 kids but we all have the same parents so its not something ive had to deal with before

[Blessed Mum]

Hi I also agree with just brothers/sisters thing. I have half/step siblings as well & we all one. Charlotte & Kyle have an older half sister & brother but they are just their bro & sis & that's the way we like it. Its a shame she won't really know them though.

Best of luck with it all
Cheers Tara

[Mum2Bug]

i know its a shame she wont know them but ive heard from his family that the other kids mum does drugs so i dont really want any of them near bug if you get my drift.