Thanks for answering. Sounds like in this case Android would work for you, if you were comfortable using Signal or showing up as a green dot on your family's iPhones. Not that I am recommending you change or anything.
I just wish* Apple would be more willing to integrate with standardized technologies, like MMS and USB-C. I get that they want to develop as much as possible inside the house, but some things are just inconvenient for their users when they have such a hardline stance.
Turtles