What Are Half Siblings?

Explaining Half Siblings to Young Children and Books for Blended Families

Alyssa Ast
When young children are a part of a blended family that includes half siblings, they are likely to have questions that may be tough to answer in terms they can understand. One common question for young children to ask is what are half siblings? They may also wonder why are their mommy's different or why are their daddy's different? It's important to explain the situation to the child in simple, yet clear terms, that they are able to understand at their young age. There are actually books for blended families to help explain why a child has a half brother or sister.

What are Half Siblings?

At some point children from blended families will probably ask what are half siblings? If this question should arise it's important to explain the answer to the best of your ability in terms young children can understand. Tell the child that at one time mommy/daddy loved their half brother or half sister's mother/father. But, after awhile it was best for everyone if they no longer lived together. After a while mommy/daddy fell in love with you and they had other children together.

No matter what the situation is explain that even though they may not have the same mommy or daddy, everyone is loved equally and always will be. Explain to them that they are a special family with more people to love and to be loved by in return.

Even though your child having a half brother or sister may seem complicated to you, to children this fact really won't make much difference. They will grow up together considering one another to be ordinary siblings. The title of a half brother or sister will be of no importance and they will view that sibling just as they view their full blooded siblings.

Books for Blended Families

Because it is often difficult for children to understand what a blended family is, there are many books available to help young children understand what are half siblings and what it means to live in a blended family. These books will provide answers to the questions they may have in terms simple enough for children to comprehend.

Chelsea's Tree

Chelsea's Tree by Marcy McCann is one book that helps young children understand what it means to be part of a blended family. This book teaches young children what is means to merge two families together, as well as teaching relations of blended family members. This book is perfect for helping children four to eight years old cope with half siblings. It can be purchased from Amazon.com for $12.99.by Marcy McCann

Published by Alyssa Ast

Alyssa Ast is a freelance writer, journalist, and author of The Fundamentals of SEO for the Average Joe. Alyssa is the co-founder of the WM Network, which includes the WM Freelance Writer's Connection.  View profile

1 Comments

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  • Linda M. McCloud8/19/2010

    Great explanation

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