steppingintoday.com

Stepping in with “Group Rates”!

September 16^th was National Stepfamily Day.  The acknowledgement of the stepfamily grows in numbers each day, yet I find it bizarre that there are so many entities that refuse to accommodate this growing blend of family.  I baked brownies to celebrate “us”.

We’ve been planning a vacation for over a year.  That is how long it takes us to save airfare for a family of nine.  Infact, before we actually plan anything we look into our options.  First, I thought how great it would be to take advantage of a cruise.  After all, it is “fun for the whole family”.  Having children ranging in age from 21 to 3 we need that sort of thing.  However, in talking to three different representatives I found out that we have too many to accommodate in a cost efficient way.  I assumed the nine of us could squeeze into three cabins.  One small problem, they did not allow more than two per cabin on that ship.  Let’s see, four cabins, and the toddler sleeps alone? Not going to work for this family.  I found a ship that would squeeze up to four in a room, providing that an adult was present in each one...So, if I could only get one more child to reach the age of 21 before our trip, we could do it.  Years down the road, I hope to remember that great “deal”.

So here it is, our big trip – we are taking advantage of the time share we own that accommodates eight.  Yes, the 3 year old sleeps with us on these trips. We take our bi-annual time share and bank it to exchange.  It never works as you wish.  You wish you could go somewhere warm and sunny with crystal waters and soft sand..but somehow Vegas seems to be the only place with availability this year.  I capitalize on this moment.  We shall go and make it the week of  New Years Eve.  The kids will see Vegas,the bright lights and the fireworks as we bring in the New Year together.  Now, getting there is the next task.   We usually drive to most vacation places (in 2 or 3 cars) but this is too far.  So, I go online to search for the cheapest airfare I can find. To think about airfare for nine  makes us break out in a sweat.   I head to my computer.  I type in all sorts of great websites; Travelocity, Expedia, Cheap Tickets, Jet Blue, Southwest…I’m at it for hours. What is the problem?  There is not a single website that will let me reserve for more than 8 people.  Some, and I won’t mention names, actually restrict you to 6.  Do I chance it and reserve and go back in and try to quickly reserve again?  I might, but then it may end up some of my children are alone on the next flight.  I think not. My only option?  I have to contact sales for group rates. We’re not a family, we’re a “group”.  The same wonderful walls are hit when trying to attend a function, a concert, or even reserve a seating for dinner in restaurants.  Note to large families- call the resort you are staying in and make reservations for your large “group” months before getting there, otherwise, you will find yourselves eating at the buffet every night.

Stepfamilies are not counted in the United States by the Census Bureau, in spite of the fact that 1300 new stepfamilies are formed every day.  I say, get with the program.  This is nothing new.  I came from a divorced family and had a stepfamily at a young age.  While it certainly was not my American dream, I divorced and re-married a wonderful man with another three children.  Help me out here, will you?  My family can’t go to a movie unless we are really early, getting nine seats in a row.  Oh, we have tried to buy those on line ...but again, “group rates” apply. 

Stepfamilies are not addressed, assessed and counted---further catapulting those who live in and lead our society in the quagmire of ignorance.  The numbers tell the story. 

Stepping Out until next month.  Question/Comments?  Email me at steppingintoday@aol.com