[jaydensmommy]

In the days of step-families, there are a lot of aunts-uncles, step-aunt's, and with blended families, half-sisters/half-brothers, etc, and that gets complicated too, but it can be explained to a child and children are more resiliant. With adoption, it's similar, except for stepfamily being extended family, it's birthfamily that's the extended family if that's what everone chooses. If they are brought up knowing this person as aunt, uncle, etc, grandma, grandpa, birthmom, birthdad (or whatever name you choose), it will more than likely be normal for him/her.

Both my sisters have children that call some unrelated people aunt and uncle. These are very good friends of the family and have always been known as uncle or aunt to the children and the children know they're not related biologically but still continue to call them aunt/uncle, as that is what they were brought up with and it's a term of endearment (sp?). No two families are the same and each of us makes the choices as we feel comfortable and as we feel are best for our children.