Some NTL Stationery Show fun!

Day three! We made some booth design changes to better showcase of our cardline today - this is the third day - tonight we have our supplyside party and we are looking foward to a great afternoon. The sun is finally shinning in New York! Wish us luck!

Stepfamilies in Australia

Stepfamilies today are becoming a prominent part of Australian family life. It is currently estimated that one in five Australian families is a stepfamily. All families need information, education and support. While resources for biological families are available in the community, services often fail to address the unique differences associated with stepfamilies. Stepfamilies Australia is a partnership between the Stepfamily Associations of Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania, formed in July 2007.

Stepfamilies Australia works as a catalyst, adding value to the family relationships sector. The innovative work of its members takes a lead to break through myths and sends a message to the community that stepfamilies are complex and hard work, but also achievable, with support.

For more information, news and tips please visit the Stepfamilies Australia website!

Lasting Friendships

This weekend we had a barbeque with some of my long time friends. We brought together a group of friends that haven’t seen each other in 15-20years. Though I’ve seen some of them off and on we haven’t stayed connected the way we should have, Rick hadn’t even met some. When you do something like this memories fly back into your mind making you feel almost like a teenager again and taking you back to another life. Alina, the redhead was my best friend growing up, we met in first grade. We just reconnected after a 15 year separation and it’s like we never were apart. As always we have promised to stay in touch and I think this time we will, we are all mature enough to realize how quickly time flies and how important true friends, old and new, are to our lives.

Carmen

Superbowl Sunday

Superbowl Sunday!!!!!
This Sunday I’ll be perched in front of the TV watching the Superbowl, just like millions of others across our nation and throughout the World. It doesn’t matter if you are a fan of Pittsburgh or Arizona, many of us are just fans of football and sports, in general. For me, at least in part, it’s the coordination and cooperation of many that brings a common, singular result. Kinda works like a family should! I’ll be rooting for Arizona (Kurt Warner is a stepfather) since the Dolphins are out of it (again). It’s great to see how the old cliché works: the sum of the parts is much greater than each individual part. Our working together in our families gives us a much greater and satisfying result because we can support and encourage each other, and we can work to our strengths to achieve the common goal. Enjoy the game. Enjoy each other.

Dr. Rick

Stepmom, Stepdad, Stepkids, Blended Family, Stepfamily - We are on YouTube!

Check out our new YouTube Channel. Share your thoughts via video commenting - upload your stepfamily videos, and so much more. So, HIT PLAY and and stop by our YouTube channel so say hello!

What are you thankful for?

Thanksgiving Is Next Week.Thanksgiving is 10 days away. I guess it means alot of different things to us, depending on how we grew up and the importance our families put on this holiday, and holidays in general. I have alot to be thankful for. I have a beautiful family and few, but close friends. I have relatively good health and a stressful life that I can manage OK. With the economy, money is tight, but we’re all in the same boat. For me, I try to be thankful all the time, and I try to celebrate my life (and my luck) everyday. I try not to be envious of others, and I try not to look over my shoulder and say “What if” (I’m not always successful with that one!). This is a time of the year for celebration and reflection. I try to do both. I hope this Thanksgiving and the entire holiday season is good for you. As in life, it is what you make it. I’m making mine good!
Dr. Rick

Fear of Failure

I’ve met many people who talk about fearing failure. Some discuss this in terms of their family and the lessons they learned growing up; some talk about feeling anxious when they must perform, whether at work or in their personal lives, without a “safety net;” others fear the disappointment, sadness, frustration, or even ridicule, that may accompany failing at something.

There are two ways fearing failure may affect us. In the negative sense, sometimes people fear failing to such an extent that it immobilizes them. Instead of energizing themselves to try something, they are so wrought with fear that they can’t move at all. On the other side, some people fear failing and it motivates them to concentrate harder, work more diligently and effectively, and ultimately succeed. Most successful people in our society fear failure, but use it as a motivator. They don’t like or want to fail, and so they avoid it at all costs.

How does the concept of failing affect your life? Does it motivate you or scare you to death? Let me know.
Dr. Rick

Getting older is real.

Getting Older.
Is it just a cliche? I don’t think so.
Getting older is real. More forgetful, get tired sooner, can’t stay up as late, can’t eat anything and everything without the Rolaids handy, creaks and aches that come out of nowhere. As my mother used to say, “Getting older is not for sissies!”
On the other hand, better insight, stronger ties to family, more mature attitude (sometimes!), better decision making, higher tolerance for disappointments. This is me. How about you?

Dr. Rick

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

Send us your favorite Pictures!

Send your favorite pictures to us at carmen@thestepcardcollection.com. We will post them on Dr. Rick’s Step-Forum (we reserve the right to decline inappropriate pictures). Don’t forget to put subtitles with them so we know who you are and where you are! What a great way to share your stepfamily experiences and triumphs with other subscribers. This might also be a good time to share your thoughts and feelings through the Story Page on the website. We always look forward to communicating with you.
Have a great day!
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

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.

A word from National Stepfamily Day!

Dear Dr. Rick, My name is Christy Borgeld and I am founder of National Stepfamily Day.

I would like to commend you for doing such positive and supporting work on behalf of stepfamilies everywhere. As the stepmother/stepfather become central figures in the lives of our children, in a time that can be confusing for them, it’s comforting to know people like you dedicate and strive to work towards a common positive goal. It’s one that I share with you. You’re cards touch the inner thoughts and feelings that real stepfamily members feel. I was so moved by so many of cards. I admire your work.
My personal work with National Stepfamily Day came from some struggles with my own stepfamily. We sure hit some bumps along the way.

Today, I can tell you that our 16 year old stepfamily is very close and loving. We all share an intense desire to share happiness together. But it was through some of the heartache in our earlier years that I knew stepfamily issues needed to be brought to the forefront. So, National Stepfamily Day was born out of my vision to see that happen. Today, National Stepfamily Day is celebrated in the Untied States, Canada, and the U.K. Along with a National Stepfamily Day picnic that celebrates our families.
I would love to suggest a National Stepfamily Card for September 16? Maybe we could work on that one together?I look forward to sharing our idea’s and support each other with our endevors. Christy Borgeld Founder-National Stepfamily Day-September 16 EST. 1997

Are my feelings legit?

I wonder how many children have experienced this situation in their families? Your parents were divorced when you were young and you have been living with your Mom since the split. Your Dad's visits with you started out pretty regularly, but have gotten less and less frequent over the years. Maybe he got remarried and has a new family or maybe the interest is lower. Who knows? Your Mom married this new man a few years back (your stepfather) and it's turned out OK. In fact, your attachment to him is getting greater than your attachment to your biological Dad. Does this present a problem for you? You know--loyalty, commitment, jealousy on either of the Dad's parts? I just want to say that any of these feelings are legit.

Tell me how you're feeling about this. Let's see if we can get a dialogue going with others in this situation.
Dr. Rick