steppingintoday.com

Stepping In Today

                                                 With Laura Vomvos

It began with a knock at the door and television game show host JD Roth exclaiming to America, “Your family has been chosen for Opportunity Knocks!” From then on, we were referred to as the Long Island Bradys. We received hundreds of letters, emails, and phone calls – some thanking us, some poking a little fun, and others complimenting us on how well we represented what it means to be a stepfamily, otherwise known today as a “blended family.” 

The more we had been referred to as the Bradys, the more I thought of the real portrayal of a stepfamily.  It was then that I decided the Bradys did not portray the real deal, have the real answers, or the necessary boundaries that are needed in the  make up of the average stepfamily.  I mean, where was the chaos, the noise, the battles?  Mom didn’t work, AND she had Alice!  Mr. Brady worked at home, had a short day of work, and his drawings were always precise.  They never ran out of milk, ran short on money, or showed the house in complete disarray.  Just once, I want to see that station wagon try to get all those kids to the extra curricular activities at the same time, on six different fields.

With the growing numbers of divorce and remarriage, the stepfamily is all too common.  I  grew up with stepparents, am now a stepparent, and share my children with  stepparents.  You might say we have all bases covered.  While I make no claim to being a professional in the area, I’m experienced enough to bring some ideas to people that are struggling.  They say to “write what you know” so my goal with this column is to provide some insight to others who are living in stepfamily-dom.  I want to share stories that make you laugh and realize that you are not alone, and stories that will address situations that are not so funny.

In a world of positive change, I want to do my part.  Through our wonderful community publication of The Pride, I will be bringing you this column. I’m sure you won’t have to be a stepfamily to relate.  We live in an average home, two working parents, and seven children ranging from the ages of 21 – 3.  My guess is, we have a lot to share.  Let me correct that, I meant six working parents, yes six, combining both ends, making the decisions for these children.  Now it gets interesting doesn’t it?

On that note, we are heading out now, in two cars. That is how we “roll” with a family of nine.  We are headed to an ice skating party, baseball clinic lessons, a visit with dad, church with nanny, and a few open houses.  Are we all going to these same functions together?  Think again, that would be too easy. J

Stepping Out until next month……….