Half-sibling for real

[kent]

I didn't want to hijack the Oprah half-sibling thread so here's the question.

Have any of you discovered you actually do have a half-sibling?

It happened to me when I was in my early 40's. Stunning development to say the least. I had heard rumors for several years that I had a half-sister but no way to confirm or refute it. Then one day it all fell into place thanks to my great interrogation skills - Jacques Clouseau has nothing on me

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

You are related to Inspector Clouseau!?




Seriously, did that new-found knowledge go well?

[Cookies Galore]

When I was 7 my Dad told me my stepmom was pregnant.

[lovemylife]

Not a half sibling but a full sister that my parents gave up to their best friends when she was 5 months old. Found out above her when I was 13 and she was 16. We were never told the full details on the whys or anything. My brother who is a year older than her is close but the other siblings not at all. I'm sure there is a ton of stories out there.

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

I was 43 when my parents told me I have a half-brother. It's the most shocking news I have ever received.

[Deleted]

My Mom found out she has an older half brother in England when she was about 40. Apparently my grandfather got a girl pregnant when he was over there during WWII. I guess the woman got married to a hometown boy and they had a pretty good life.

My Mom and biological father split when I was a baby. I've always known I had at least one half sibling. Turns out I have 3. I met one half brother by fluke. We got along well but neither of us has bothered keeping in touch. Maybe it's hereditary

[kent]

Jan 24, 2011 19:37:18 GMT -5 Cheesy FL-Vol said:

You are related to Inspector Clouseau!?




Seriously, did that new-found knowledge go well?

Go well? Actually, not so much. We met face to face one time and that went fairly well I guess. We talked on the phone several more times - "talked" isn't the right word, I listened because it was hard to get a word in edgewise. When my dad died he left us both a small inheritance which she blew through in about 6 months and then called me for money. I declined the opportunity.

A couple of years later she sent me a letter saying she needed a "minimum" of $8,000 to pay credit card bills. I politely declined again and haven't heard from her since. So, the bottom line is that it really didn't work out. If we had been raised together I would have been all over her about throwing money away and she probably would have turned out differently - you can pick your friends but you can't pick your relatives.

[Cheesy FL-Vol]

Jan 25, 2011 11:38:07 GMT -5 kent said:

Jan 24, 2011 19:37:18 GMT -5 Cheesy FL-Vol said:

You are related to Inspector Clouseau!?




Seriously, did that new-found knowledge go well?

Go well? Actually, not so much. We met face to face one time and that went fairly well I guess. We talked on the phone several more times - "talked" isn't the right word, I listened because it was hard to get a word in edgewise. When my dad died he left us both a small inheritance which she blew through in about 6 months and then called me for money. I declined the opportunity.

A couple of years later she sent me a letter saying she needed a "minimum" of $8,000 to pay credit card bills. I politely declined again and haven't heard from her since. So, the bottom line is that it really didn't work out. If we had been raised together I would have been all over her about throwing money away and she probably would have turned out differently - you can pick your friends but you can't pick your relatives.

Geeze...that is pretty crappy...calling on a little known relative to beg for money?

[kent]

Jan 25, 2011 14:30:13 GMT -5 Cheesy FL-Vol said:

Jan 25, 2011 11:38:07 GMT -5 kent said:

Go well? Actually, not so much. We met face to face one time and that went fairly well I guess. We talked on the phone several more times - "talked" isn't the right word, I listened because it was hard to get a word in edgewise. When my dad died he left us both a small inheritance which she blew through in about 6 months and then called me for money. I declined the opportunity.

A couple of years later she sent me a letter saying she needed a "minimum" of $8,000 to pay credit card bills. I politely declined again and haven't heard from her since. So, the bottom line is that it really didn't work out. If we had been raised together I would have been all over her about throwing money away and she probably would have turned out differently - you can pick your friends but you can't pick your relatives.

Geeze...that is pretty crappy...calling on a little known relative to beg for money?

Actually, it was more than begging, she pretty much worded the letter as this was fully expected. Not even a hint she would be happy with less - sheesh!

[doxieluvr]

This topic intrigues me. My daughter is 7 and she has a half brother that she does not know about. I think she is too young now to have the information but one day it should be shared with her. I have no idea how the topic will come up but I will cross that bridge when we get there.

[Gardening Grandma]

Have any of you discovered you actually do have a half-sibling?

I have three. I've been aware of them all my life, but I don't think they are aware of me and my sister. After my parents divorced, my father remarried (forgot to tell his new wife he'd been previously married and had two kids). I've never had any contact with him, but I know where he lives and the names of his children. (He lives in the same city as an uncle who has stayed in touch).
After he dies, I plan to contact them - once. If they aren't interested in their half siblings, I'll let it rest. He's well over 80, so it could happen anytime.

[Deleted]

Jan 25, 2011 15:20:20 GMT -5 doxieluvr said:

This topic intrigues me. My daughter is 7 and she has a half brother that she does not know about. I think she is too young now to have the information but one day it should be shared with her. I have no idea how the topic will come up but I will cross that bridge when we get there.

My parents told me any odd facts like that before I can remember and it was always just a fact of life. No big deal telling me or anything like that. If I was in that situation with a child I would do the same thing. They take their cue from you if it's a good thing, a bad thing or just a fact.