Christy Borgeld, the founder of National Stepfamily Day, has sent in this guest post duscussing the origins of National Stepfamily Day. Christy is doing great work, and I encourage everyoine to check out her website at Nationalstepfamilyday.com:
Why Stepfamily Day
By Christy BorgeldWhen I married my husband Jim, 15 years ago, our new family included 6 children from previous marriages and relationships. Having a child together turned our family into a not-so Brady Bunch. Our problems didn’t get solved in 30 minutes and there’s no housekeeper to help out.
Behind my light-heartedness is a concern for stepfamilies everywhere. These unique family units are often a mishmash of grandparents, aunts, uncles, ex-spouses, and children who must learn to deal with stepmothers and stepfathers. Problems such as stepsibling rivalries and their consequential self-esteem, setting new rules and boundaries, and ex-spousal feuds are just a few aspect that strain most stepfamilies.
My mission began. My only involvement with the government was to vote. I had no idea how to get a day proclaimed. I did research on Anna Jarvis, who was the founder of Mother’s Day. I read about her campaign and her passion to have Mother’s Day proclaimed. I contacted my state governor’s office and started asking questions. I soon learned that to get a day proclaimed I had to have each state governor to proclaim the day or a state senator or state representative to have a resolution passed. So I picked a date, wrote up language for the Stepfamily Day proclamation, and went to work.
This year marks Stepfamily Day’s 10th Anniversary. Today Stepfamily Day is celebrated by having a Stepfamily Day picnic. Cities throughout all 50 states celebrate Stepfamily Day with a family picnic.
As the stepmother and stepfather become central figures in the lives of our children, in a time that is very confusing for them, let us remember the positive and important role we play in their lives as role models. I hope Stepfamily Day will encourage and educate these families. To honor those who have made a commitment to creating new family bonds.
Christy Borgeld Founder-National Stepfamily Day-September 16
EST. 1997
www.nationalstepfamilyday.com
contact@nationalstepfamilyday.comNational Stepfamily Resource Center
(NSRC) is a division of Auburn University’s Center for Children, Youth, and Families
Stepfamily Expert Council
www.stepfamilies.info
Filed under: Blended Families, Families, General Family Law, Guests
