There Are No “Half” Siblings in My Family

Words carry a lot of weight. I know we’re living in times where it’s hard to say anything without offending someone, but in our house we try to control the controllables. We’re forever navigating life as a blended family and there’s a lot of touchy ground. I personally despise the term “step-parent,” especially when that person is completely involved and loves their spouse’s child. In my opinion, it just creates a wedge in already murky waters. So we’ve always subscribed to term “bonus dad,” but now? Even that seems distant. Our child just has a mom and two dads, and that’s been completely on his terms.
 
Since I’ve been remarried, we’ve had two more kids and the words “half-brother” or “half-sister” haven’t been uttered at all. Why? Because it’s a wedge and creates a label that’s different from what society deems the norm, and I don’t like any ideas or stereotypes that could possibly go along with that. Nor do I want any of my children feeling different. The blended family situation is complicated enough, and we certainly don’t need to add to it.
I haven’t had any experience where the half-sibling term has been used, but maybe I just don’t give anyone the option to use it. Also, frankly, it just helps that we all kinda look alike.
 
But what about the families who don’t? I hate the thought of going through life to have your relationship with your sibling reduced to just … half. I know there are circumstances where others may feel the need to use the “half-sibling” words, but it just doesn’t fit in our family trajectory.
 
In this context, family doesn’t have stipulations. A brother is just that, a brother! No other explanation. You can have a whole family, half-siblings or not.
Camille
Camille has always had ties to Baton Rouge even though she didn’t live here until she finished college. Both of her parents grew up in the Red Stick but she was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. After graduating from the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!) with a BA in Communication Studies, she moved to Baton Rouge and welcomed her adorable son Caleb (7) less than a year later. She navigated life being a divorced mom until 2015 when she married her incredibly supportive husband Chris in San Francisco. They welcomed baby Christian in the summer of 2017. Truly a “Jane of all Trades”, she has worked in non-profit, local news, retail management, and owned a successful childcare facility. All roads led her to be an elementary school teacher which she believes is her calling. Camille enjoys “family fun days” where they explore BR, CrossFit, baking, and drinking all the coffee. She lives with her family in Ascension Parish with their chubby puggle Chloe.

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