I am sure that when I was growing up in the '50s it was simple. Now we have cohabitation, step-parents, divorcees, mobile children and, in my case, adoptees.
They do stuff at school on families. History and suchlike. It seems to be insensitive, despite their best efforts I am sure.
At home the Boy is an only child. He meets his sisters (x2) regularly. The other day I had to inform him that he has a third sister he has never met. HE can meet her when he is 18, or when she is. I know not which. Now his mother is pregnant again. So a new half-brother or sister is en route.
My eldest sister is on her second (suspicious) marriage. My other sister is terminally divorced. Everyone else in my immediate circle (with one exception) seems to be on marriage 2 or 3. And if they are on marriage 1 they are miserable.
My nephews are divorced and have custody of the children over their feckless wives. My aunts are growing old disgracefully having jettisoned the uncles. Every time the phone rings from the "family" I have to think about whose side I am on. Even my nice cousin is on husband #4 (and she lives near Snoopy!)
Is it just me|?