Showing posts with label stepparents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stepparents. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

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!

Friday, March 20, 2009

GEARING UP FOR NEW YORK-installment #2

Just eight weeks away, we’re getting really excited about the National Stationery Show (May 17-20). We’re in the process of figuring out how to design our booth so we can best show off our card line. This show is the Super Bowl of card shows, and we need to introduce the public to stepcards. We’ve booked a hotel so we can walk back and forth to the venue. We’ve been told that the four day Show is intense and not to expect to do anything else in New York until the Show is over. We’ll be thrilled if we can get a Card Rep to carry our line and also if we can talk to Retailers who might put our cards in their stores. We know we need a “grass roots” effort to get our cards out there, and we’re in it for the long haul. We’ll keep you posted. To all our subscribers and supporters, thanks for your help.

Carmen & Dr. Rick

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Success and Courage

OK so enough about failure let’s talk about success or courage:
As I have said i am very involved in issues concerning women and women’s rights. A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of meeting with an international delegation of women from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Morocco and the UAE. These women are just beginning the fight for women’s rights in their countries. I was so impressed with their courage and determination in these countries where women are still seen and not heard. They have a long road ahead but are determined to have a better place in their society for themselves and their daughters.
We learned during our discussion that though we may be a bit ahead of them in this regard (not nearly enough) the issues and concerns we face as women are not so different regardless of where you live.
Through the wonders of technology we are keeping in touch through Facebook. I am honored to have met them, wish them the best of luck and send them my support.
Carmen

Sunday, November 9, 2008

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

Thursday, November 6, 2008

The Elections are finally over!


Regardless of how you voted in these elections or how you feel about the outcome I bet you are glad it’s over! I am very politically active, very involved in women’s issues and very passionate and vocal about my opinions in these areas…much more than my other half--Dr. Rick. (The picture above is from the Miami County Commission for Women.)
This year in particular the election cycle has been hard. My family has been divided on the candidates and some of the issues as have some of my friends so this has put an unusual amount of stress on many of our relationships. Dealing with these issues is hard for all of us but in the case of step families where we combine families that may not have the same opinions on political issues it can be a real challenge. It takes a lot of patience, communication, compromise and love to work through it all but with a little effort it can be done. Luckily for our stepfamily we share similar views on most things in our little unit (or at least I think we do) but the extended family is a different story and it’s been tough…I for one am glad that this election is over, we’ve survived it and now we can all move forward.
I hope this change is a positive one and that our country and families will be unified under this new leadership. Step or not it is family that is most important, it’s time to get over our differences and look forward to better times and a brighter future!
How did this election impact your life?
Have a great day,
Carmen (aka the better half)

Monday, November 3, 2008

No Brandy Bunch!

NO BRADY BUNCH.
I was watching one of the YouTube feeds that comes up periodically right here on the Step-Forum. It was Ron Deal from http://www.successfulstepfamilies.com/ talking about how the “Brady Bunch lied,” meaning life in a stepfamily isn’t always smooth and cozy. It’s true, the Brady Bunch had their share of mishaps and misadventures, but come on, sometimes our house can be a real battleground. I think he is just trying to paint a true picture. In the long run Ron’s point, however, is that all of us in our stepfamilies do a lot of stuff right.
We need to build on the good things—the foundation of love and caring that is mostly there, but sometimes hidden by real life problems and conflicts that can be resolved if we use what works and not what we know doesn’t. I’m guessing that there’s an inherent good in most of us and that leads to a pretty good first STEP in making our families better and happier.

Dr. Rick

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

THE ELECTION!

THE ELECTION.
What brings a family closer together or drives them further apart than politics?

I try not to bring the subject up in my family for fear of offending someone or worse, opening the door for them to offend me! The current Presidential election is one of the most important elections in our country’s history. We are at a social, financial, and moral crossroad.Whomever you choose to lead our nation, be sure that he (and in the future, she) does it surrounded by hand-picked intelligent, motivated, hopefully objective people, chosen for their expertise and leadership qualities.

Let’s face it, we all have an opinion, and thankfully in the United States, a voice to express our thoughts and feelings. Use it responsibly, and may the best candidate win leading us back on a positive track.

Dr. Rick

Monday, April 7, 2008

Hey Stepfathers!!

Hey Stepfathers! What happens when everything seems to be going smoothly in the family, then all of a sudden you get ganged up on when your opinion differs from theirs? (in my case by my wife and stepdaughter--aka the Gilmore Girls).

Sometimes I really feel like I see their point of view, but it doesn't make sense to me. Then again, it's two to one! Kinda makes you think--am I really off base or are they just the 'Home Team". I don't necessarily want to figure this out, I just want to be comfortable with it. I thought it might change over time, but as we all get older I think we all get more opinionated. Maybe that's okay.

Dr. Rick

Monday, March 17, 2008

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

Thursday, January 10, 2008

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

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Welcome to my BLOG!

Hi! I am Dr. Rick, and I am new to blogging and being online, but I'm open to learning new things. I've been a Stepfather for 10 years and a Psychologist for almost 20 years. I started writing cards for my Stepchildren when I couldn't find anything else in the marketplace that expressed what I was feeling about them.

Now, I know I am not alone - 1 out of 3
familes TODAY is a Stepfamily. Over the past several months I have taken my cards and my ideas and really developed them. I hired a team of experts to help me get my idea going.
My dream is to share my thoughts and recognition of stepfamiles with the world. So, what does my dream, experts, my wife, all these cards I have written over the years, etc...etc. really mean? It means, I created a website where people can send FREE e-cards to each other - anyone can join. http://www.thestepcardcollection.com/, caters specifically to stepfamilies and their unique emotional and communication challenges and triumphs.
In addition to the website, I really want to share my thoughts, and inspire and motivate others to do the same. Welcome to my blog, feel free to share, inspire and interact with me here. Got a question? Want to share pertinent information, issues, or data with families like yours? "Dr. Rick's Step-Forum is just the place."
Thanks for visiting my blog - feel free to subscribe!
Kind Regards,
Dr. Rick

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

"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/