thestepcardcollection

We’ve just completed two years since the launching of www.thestepcardcollection.com. While we’ve made changes to the website, our thought process, our plan, the printed card line, and other areas of this business, the one thing that has not changed is the vision we had at the onset regarding the importance of our message—the emotions and sentiments expressed between family members is important and unique. We hope you’ve enjoyed our site and our message, and have sent e-cards, written suggestions, read our Step-Forum, and used the facets of the website for your personal growth. We are continually committed to giving you the best information and products to help promote the wellness of your stepfamily. Please let us know your needs. Thank you for your support.

Dr. Rick

Perceptions, Opinions & Election 2008

Perceptions
It’s sometimes hard for me to understand that I can see something so clearly from my perspective and the person I am talking to sees a completely different picture. I don’t mean a slight difference, but polar opposites. I know it’s important for us to allow for other opinions and perceptions, but it’s curious at times. I guess that appears more obvious every 4 years around this time when the Presidential election nears. I respect people’s right to their opinion and choices, and they should respect mine.

One of the advantages of living in the United States is that we are encouraged to have passionate feelings and the ability to express those feelings through our voting privilege. I encourage everyone to educate themselves about the issues, ask questions to clarify your thoughts, and vote for the person who best suits your needs and the needs of your family (or stepfamily). I guess this advice holds true not only for electing public officials, but for enhancing your life in general. Our opinions and feelings really do matter.
Dr. Rick

"Greatness"

I've been watching the Olympics for the past week, as I'm sure many of you have. I'm impressed by the athlete's dedication, commitment, and skill, but also, their teamwork and support of their families and friends. It seems as if each one of them has a contingent of people who love and care about them, regardless of the result. Wouldn't it be great if we all had this unending, relatively unconditional support for us in our endeavors. Wouldn't life be a little easier if there were people cheering for us? Or, maybe like the world-class athlete, we need to muster up our courage, motivation, and drive from within ourselves. An important lesson--although it's nice to have others acknowlege our "greatness," it's more important that we acknowledge it ourselves. Have a week of "greatness."
Dr. Rick

Happy Birthday!

My wife, my stepdaughter, and I are going to Orlando this weekend to see my stepson. It's his birthday on Tuesday so we'll celebrate with him a couple of days early. Along with holidays, special events like birthdays are really tough when a loved one lives out of town. Lucky for us he's only 3 hours away, but I can surely empathize with those of you who have family in other states or even across the country. Of course, I could send him a "stepcard," but delivering our message in person is much better. Happy Birthday Lino!

Some advice for Stepkids

I’ve gotten a few emails from kids who live with one parent (usually their mother) and they feel “out of place” when they visit with their other parent (usually their father). Sometimes it’s awkward because their father has remarried and they’re not sure what to expect from their new stepmother. Other times, and this is obviously more serious, their father has married someone who has kids from her first marriage, so they don’t feel welcomed. Maybe you don’t even have a room or special place in your Dad’s new house. It’s a common circumstance, and so a common feeling, but I understand it doesn’t feel good. What can you do? Talk with your Dad. Let him know how you feel. Don’t assume he knows what you’re experiencing. In fact, he probably doesn’t see it at all! I know your Dad doesn’t live with your Mom anymore, but I bet he still loves you just the same. Good luck!
Dr. Rick

Stepparent "Identity"

Stepparent "Identity"

Is there a difference in the way a stepparent is perceived
depending on the childrens' life stage? What I mean by this is,
in my experience, a stepparent that enters the scene when the
kids are older is more likely to be defined as a "step" parent
than one who marries in when the kids are young. There are
obviously other factors too, such as how involved is the
non-custodial biological parent and how equipped is the new stepparent to begin with. But all in all, I wonder if others have experienced a specific distinction based on when you married into the family. Let me know what you think.
Dr. Rick

Pictures! Enjoy! Send us your photos and we'll place them on our blog!

Cool Stepfamily Father's Day e-Cards

I wanted to share an example of one of the cards I created for Father's Day 2008. I hope you can see it clearly here. The card reads.....

When you married my Mom, I wasn't sure how I felt. I knew we were OK before you got here, but I didn't know what to expect. You make my Mom happy, and that makes me happy. Happy Father's Day!

Let me know what you think - you can see all of the Father's Day cards on my website. If you would like to submit your own sentiments - I will gladly feature them here. Father's Day is June 15th. Don't forget to send your dad a special message!

-Dr. Rick

Father's Day

Father's Day.
Father's Day is June 15th this year. That would be my father's 83rd birthday. A two for one! He passed away 9 years ago tomorrow. We had a great relationship. We played tennis and golf together, although he wasn't that good at either. It didn't matter. I miss him alot, but I'm never sad about it. We talked and shared a great deal (not everything, of course), but enough to know how we felt about each other. My relationship with my
Dad wasn't perfect, or maybe in its way it was. Take the
opportunity to say and do the things with people you love while
you have the chance. To all you Dads and Stepdads out
there--Have a great day!
Dr. Rick

Meet the Mom that started it all..Part 2

Hi everyone! Here is the rest of the story I started last week.... My situation: I had been a “single-mom” for 10 years. My children and I had created a very close and special family unit. We basically grew up together. We did everything together, shared everything, we were as close as close can be (my claim to fame is that I coached my son’s little league baseball team, yes I was that kind of mom!). To bring someone else into our lives was quite a challenge, not to mention that the kids “real dad” was always very involved in their lives. If you have read any of the stepcards on our site you can tell it was very difficult and emotional for Rick as well as it was for us and not the easiest time in our lives but we are all better for the experience.

We’ve had our challenges, but we’ve made it through and come out on the other side of this adventure with two great kids we’re very proud of, a decent marriage and a great idea we hope will help others in our situation. I hope you agree. We hope you find this blog and our website helpful, and we hope to hear from you soon! Thanks so much for all of your comments and support!!!

Carmen Elias-Levenson, the mom

Speaking of Mother's Day - Meet the Mom that started it all!

Hi, I’m Carmen, the better half of Dr. Rick. I brought the kids that created the stepfamily you are reading about on this website…

Ten years ago when Rick & I decided to marry we asked “my kids” (then 14 & 17) for their approval, though they said they were ok with it, the real response I got when Rick wasn’t present was “do we really have a choice?” So we went from there…As hard as it may be for a stepdad (or stepmom I imagine) to walk into a “ready-made family”, it is equally hard for the mom & kids that make up that readymade family to get used to someone new intruding on their space and their lives.

The relationship between us had become the only thing they knew, they were really too young to remember what it was like living with their dad and mom as a family so, we were it! Divorce is hard on everyone, it took a lot of time, love, tears and care to get to where we were at the point Rick came into the picture.

Well, this this is a good start, I look forward to blogging more and finishing this story later in the week. Be sure and check back! Nice to meet you, Carmen - the "Mom"

A Tribute to Mothers

May 11th is Mother’s Day this year. Let’s face it, most mothers deserve praise all year round, but rarely get it! Manytimes their deeds are taken for granted, and their family commitment and dedication is unmatched. In today’s society many mothers are part of the workforce outside the home as well as within it. Their jobs are usually extended way beyond the 9 to 5 timeframe. We do things to please our mothers and elicit their acknowledgement and recognition, but do we reciprocate?

Time is short and precious. Be sure to say and do what’s necessary to make the relationship with your mother a significant one. Now if you have a stepmother, too …....Happy Mother’s Day!

Dr. Rick

Dr. Rick LIVE on the RADIO!

Hello Everyone!

NOW AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AT http://www.thestepcardcollection.com/.
Click on NEWS and then click on 'On the Airwaves'. You can listen to the interview directly from the site. Updated April 9, 2008.

Just a quick heads-up. Our radio interview with Charlie Kaufman will air today, Wednesday, December 19th on WDNA radio 88.9FM at 11AM EST. The best way to get the broadcast is to go to their website. www.wdna.org

Thank you all,

Dr. Rick

Easter's Right Around The Corner

Easter is early this year so preparations for the holiday have already begun. I wonder if your family is planning a big dinner? I know that in past years my family had to make arrangements to coordinate meal times, accomodating the childrens' attending our dinner and their biological father's family dinner in the same day (talk about calories!). My stepchildren are older now so they can work this stuff out for themselves, but when children are younger and they need to be taxied back and forth on occasions like this, it can get complicated. Of course, the bottom line is that each family, old and new, gets to spend important time together. But, I certainly remember how hectic is was for us. Hope you all have a happy Easter. FYI, Passover begins on April 19th. Different religion, same story. It's amazing how alike we really are!
Dr. Rick

thestepcardcollection Launches Premier Collection of Quality, Printed Cards

"Just for Stepfamilies"

http://www.thestepcardcollection.com/ the premier online resource for sentiment, occasion and greeting cards for stepfamilies has successfully launched its first collection of quality, PRINTED holiday, occasion and sentiment cards created specifically for stepfamilies.

The first group of 24 high-quality, printed cards (printed on recycled paper) was written by Dr. Rick, illustrated by Belgian Artist Caroline Geys and Designed by Miami-based design team BE IT Designs. "The cards are fresh, spirited, humorous and playful in design and pack the same sentimental and communicative punch as our collection of online cards" said Dr. Rick. For more information on how to get these wonderful cards - please contact us at sales@thestepcardcollection.com. To obtain the full press release please contact: Media contacts: Lisa Silvera/Christopher Hughes info@thinkkingmedia.com.

What are your experiences?

When I first became a stepfather my stepkids were already teenagers. It was extremely difficult to come into the family and be a parent—giving directives, setting limits, enforcing rules—until their mother gave me explicit authority to do so.

I’ve found that this permission is essential to make the relationship work. I can’t say that it worked perfectly, far from it—but it really helped. I wonder if it might have been a bit different if the kids were younger when I married their Mom. What are your experiences? I’d love to hear from you.

Dr Rick

You Tube Holiday Greeting from www.thestepcardcollection.com

"Special cards for stepfamilies"

For immediate release: (7 November 2007 - Miami, Florida)

Announcing the online launch of http://www.thestepcardcollection.com/. The premiere, interactive online greeting and sentiment card website loaded with only the best in holiday, occasion and sentiment e-cards designed just for step-families. Finally! A site that specifically acknowledges the feelings, challenges and special situations unique to step-families.

www.thestepcardcollection.com was created by a Psychologist and Step-Father in Miami Lakes, Florida. Newly married, he found that traditional greeting cards were incapable of expressing his true feelings for his new wife and step-children so he began creating his own cards for them. He decided to turn his personal project into a way to help other families with similar circumstances share their unique sentiments.

Catering specifically to step families and their unique emotional and communication challenges and triumphs, http://www.thestepcardcollection.com/ is an accessible, fun and tasteful resource brimming with e-cards, postcards, calendars, birthday alerts, reminders, address book and personal picture and message upload capabilities, family friendly games, and so much more.

A section of particular interest is Dr. Rick's Step-Forum, a featured section of http://www.thestepcardcollection.com/ that is informational, inspirational, and interactive. Have a question for Dr. Rick? Want to share pertinent information or data with families like yours? "Dr. Rick's Step-Forum is just the place.

Designed by progressive Miami & San Antonio based interactive and comprehensive web development force, http://www.iconnect2it.com/, the site touts a bold, modern look and sensible user friendly & innovative, category-specific navigation. Inventive promotional marketing will include ongoing promotional subscription incentives: compelling card images, sound and music scape's, a wide array of background & skin choices, sample e-card and postcard display; and an overall fresh, sophisticated design that showcases the sites expansive selection of quality, relevant e-cards.

Said Dr. Rick, "this website is for everyone who is a member of a step family. I hope this collection of greetings will convey what you, too, have been thinking or feeling."

http://www.thestepcardcollection.com/ was created with you and your special family in mind. Step-families comprise a substantial segment of today's society, but receive very little representation or consideration when it comes to greeting cards.

While traditional families can celebrate holiday's and birthdays with greeting cards that may perfectly express their sentiments, step-families could not - until now. http://www.thestepcardcollection.com/ provides a loving and objective voice for step-family members to address each with sensitivity and sincerity without being too corny or painfully predictable.

Original, relevant and heartfelt step-family cards like you dream about - right at your fingertips.

Welcome to http://www.thestepcardcollection.com/