An Election-Year Platform for Stepfamilies

Being in a stepfamily is hard work. Stepparents need to develop a platform for this challenging life. Here's one that everyone can vote for.

(PRWEB) October 24, 2004

Blue states and red states, debate and divide, pro and con. It sometimes seems like everything is up for grabs this election year. But here’s something that everyone can agree on: Being in a stepfamily is hard work.

When John Kerry and Teresa Heinz married nine years ago, they needed to develop a “platform” for their challenging new life. With nearly one in three new marriages now marking the formation of a stepfamily, millions of other Americans are in the same situation.

Here's a platform that everyone can vote for:

•    Four more years. A president gets four years to do his job. A stepfamily may need twice as much time to "blend." New stepparents shouldn't expect too much too soon, but should recognize—and celebrate!—each tiny bit of progress.

•    On the record. A stepparent, like a politician, often finds their words coming back to haunt them. Clarity, honesty, and consistency are the tickets to better communication within the family.

•    Leadership counts. A family needs a strong leader, just as a nation does. Parents who work as a team, establish house rules, and protect their marriage stand a good chance of staying "in office."

•    So does diplomacy. Learning to get along with former spouses is one of the best gifts parents can give their children. It's not about winning or losing—it’s about showing the kids that they come first.

•    E Pluribus Unum. Like the Founding Fathers, stepparents face the challenge of turning many into one. Moving from "yours" and "mine" to "ours" means being able to rise above failure, learn from mistakes, and accept differences while creating ties and traditions of your own.

The Stepfamily Platform was developed by Karon Phillips Goodman, author of "The Stepmom’s Guide to Simplifying Your Life" (Gold Award, National Parenting Publications 2003) and "It’s Not My Stepkids—It’s Their Mom!" Both books are published by EquiLibrium Press, http://www.equipress.com, 10736 Jefferson Blvd. #680, Culver City, CA 90230. Orders: 877-357-7377.

To receive a review copy of "The Stepmom’s Guide" and/or "It’s Not My Stepkids," or to request an interview with Ms. Goodman, please call Susan Goland at (310) 417-8217; fax: (310) 417-8122; e-mail: equipress@equipress.com. Stepfamily statistic from the Census Bureau.

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