How to Show Step-Parents and Step-Siblings in a Genogram
Blended families are where descent-chart thinking breaks down and genogram notation shines. The key: a step-relationship exists through a marriage line, not a biological line.
The notation
Step-parents
Connect the step-parent to the biological parent with a partnership line (marriage, cohabitation). The step-parent has no descent line to the child by default — the connection reads through the couple. Where an explicit link matters clinically, a parent-child line marked as “step” can be drawn.
Step-siblings
Step-siblings share no biological parent: each hangs from their own parent(s), and the families join through the new partnership line. Half-siblings (one shared parent) are different — see the half-siblings guide.
Order of partnerships
By convention, earlier partnerships are drawn to the left, with dates on the lines (m. 1998, div. 2005, m. 2010) so the sequence of the blend is readable.
How to draw it in GenogramAI
- 1Connect the step-parent to the biological parent with a marriage or partnership line
- 2To make a step link to the child explicit, click the parent-child connection and set its type to Step
- 3GenogramAI supports Biological, Adopted, Foster, Step, Surrogate, and Donor connection types on any parent-child line
"After the divorce, my dad married Karen, who has two sons from her first marriage."
Frequently asked questions
Does a step-parent get connected to the child in a genogram?
Not by default — the relationship reads through the marriage to the biological parent. When the step relationship is significant (e.g., the step-parent raised the child), draw a parent-child line typed as “step”, which most tools render dashed or labeled.
How do I show my mom remarrying in a genogram?
Keep the original partnership line (marked with divorce slashes and dates if it ended), then add the new partner to the side with a new marriage line. Children stay connected to their biological parents.
What is the difference between step-siblings and half-siblings in a genogram?
Half-siblings share one biological parent, so their descent lines meet at that parent. Step-siblings share none — their families connect only through the new couple’s partnership line.
Draw it correctly, automatically
GenogramAI renders standard notation for you — describe your family and the symbols come out right.
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