FAMILY

open your dominant hand into a "5" shape (fingers spread) and tap your thumb against your chin once or twice.

use your dominant hand in an open, "5" shape (fingers spread) and tap your thumb on your forehead twice

Start by placing your dominant hand near your forehead (as if touching the brim of a cap) to represent male, then move your hand down, cradling it in the crook of your opposite arm to represent baby.

Touch your dominant hand's fingertips (often in a flat hand or "B" handshape) to your chin, then move it down to rest in the crook of your opposite, non-dominant arm.

make the letter 'A' with your dominant hand (fist with thumb on the side), place it near your cheek or chin, and twist it in a small, gentle circle.

make a letter 'U' handshape (index and middle fingers extended and together) and twist it in a small circular motion near the side of your forehead.

form the letter 'N' with your dominant hand (thumb tucked under index and middle fingers) and shake/twist it slightly twice near the side of your forehead.

make the letter "N" with your dominant hand (index and middle fingers extended, thumb tucked under or against them). Place the "N" handshape near the side of your chin and twist it forward twice.

make an 'L' shape with both hands, placing the dominant thumb on your forehead and bringing it down to rest on the index finger of your non-dominant hand at chest level.

make an "L" shape with both hands, placing the dominant hand's thumb on your chin before moving it down to touch your non-dominant hand at chest level.

place your dominant hand (open, with fingers spread) with your thumb against your forehead (like the sign for "father" or "dad").

extend your dominant hand into an open '5' shape (fingers spread) and touch your thumb to your chin. Move your hand forward in two small, distinct outward arcs or bounces, representing two generations.

make a letter 'C' handshape with your dominant hand and twist it back and forth near the side of your head.

cross your arms over your chest as if cradling an infant, with your hands resting on opposite elbows or hugging your shoulders. Gently rock your arms back and forth in a soothing motion.

bring your dominant hand from your forehead (representing "male") down to clasp your non-dominant hand (representing "marriage"). It is a compound sign combining the signs for "male" and "marry".

form a "female" sign by touching your dominant hand (often a modified 'C' shape) to your chin, then bring it down to hold your non-dominant hand, which is facing palm-up. This mimics hand-holding, often combining the sign for "girl" (on the chin) and

the most common way to sign "stepdad" (or stepfather) is by combining the sign for "second" (or "used") with the sign for "dad". Alternatively, some signers use an "L" handshape, placing the thumb against the forehead to represent "step" followed by

"stepmother" is commonly signed by combining the sign for "second" (or "used") with the sign for "mother". Another common method is to fingerspell "S-T-E-P" followed by the sign for "mother". Some users may also employ a "5-hand" with the thumb on th

is commonly signed by either fingerspelling "S-T-E-P" followed by the sign for "SON," or by signing "SECOND" (using a twisted '2' handshape) followed by "SON". Another method involves using an 'L' handshape that flips over to indicate a step-relation

the sign for "stepsister" is typically formed by combining the sign for "second/step" (a twisting '2' or 'L' handshape) with the sign for "sister". It can also be signed by fingerspelling S-T-E-P followed by the sign for SISTER.