The concept of "family" for sentients

We can see sentients spawning from the gooey-looking things in the murex and it got me thinking that they're just basically flexible nanotech taking the best form to confront a situation, hence the different types of sentient fighters.

Got me wondering why Hunhow, Natah, Erra, and Mom could decide they're a family. Is it a mental concept they develop over time, or maybe one pool of goo is one family? What do you guys think?

((Best hc when people say papa hunhow gave birth literally to the kids even tho idk how))