Half/step siblings

[Pickledeverything]

If your children have half or step siblings do you correct them when they say “brother/sister” so they use the proper term?

YABU - yes I do
YANBU - no I do not

When talking to DS, I refer to his siblings as his brothers or Sister (all half's). However, when I talk about them to people, I tend to say brother when talking about my two DS's and half siblings when talking about the siblings DS has on his Dads side.

To be honest, it's a rare thing to come up, but everyone knows DS1 and DS2 are half siblings - it's obvious when you see them, and no one would consider DH being DS1's Dad. However, I would never call them half brothers. They've grown up together, are very close and have a lovely relationship. I think they'd both be very upset if their relationship was referred to as half. Like it isn't as meaningful.

DS sadly has very little to do with his siblings from his Dad, mainly down to his Dad being useless, plus there's a bigger age gap so they just haven't grown up together. DS saw his brother for the first time in 2 years a couple of weeks ago. It's all a bit sad

It is not up to you to tell your children how they view their siblings or other family members - half, step or otherwise. You may not feel they are your family,but your children clearly do. I also highly doubt anyone that doesn't know you gives a stuff if they are full siblings or not so I'm sure you don't have to spend too much time telling them and if you do don't bother, they don't care.

You only seem interested in the response of those who agree with you so in my mind you’ve already decided that you are doing it correctly in your eyes.

Did you bother to actually read all of the OP’s posts?

If you're sick of correcting them then stop! Your child sees his step Brothers & half Sisters as just Brothers & Sisters so why do you feel the need to correct them? You can explain the family dynamics when needed but not every time your child refers to them as Brothers & Sisters. Maybe your child doesn't want others knowing they all have different parents or doesn't want to answer questions when others find out they aren't full siblings. Why do you feel so strongly about it OP?

I wouldn't correct my children as they can use whatever term they feel comfortable with. My children never lived with their "step" siblings, as they were all much older, so they wouldn't ever refer to them as brother/sister.