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September 16 marks a special day to honor the unique and important role of stepfamilies in our lives – National Stepfamily Day! This holiday was first proposed in 1997 by Christy Borgeld as a way to recognize and celebrate the love, support, and strength that stepfamilies bring into our lives. Whether you are a stepparent, stepchild, or part of a blended family, this day is the perfect opportunity to appreciate the bonds that have formed through love and commitment. So let's take a moment to recognize and cherish the amazing people in our stepfamilies on this special day.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1997</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Founding of National Stepfamily Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>Christy Borgeld proposes a day to recognize and celebrate stepfamilies, founding National Stepfamily Day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1998</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first official celebration of National Stepfamily Day occurs, encouraging stepfamilies to spend quality time together.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Increasing Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Media outlets begin recognizing National Stepfamily Day, boosting its visibility and significance.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Stepfamily Resource Center Support</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Stepfamily Resource Center, a division of Auburn University's Center for Children, Youth, and Families, begins to actively promote National Stepfamily Day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2015</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Societal Impact</div><div class='timeline-text'>National Stepfamily Day showcases the importance of stepfamilies in society, breaking down stigmas and promoting acceptance.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Plan a family outing</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your stepfamily and plan a fun outing together, such as a trip to the zoo, a picnic in the park, or a day at an amusement park. This is a great way to bond and create new memories as a family.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a stepfamily photo album</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather photos from special moments with your stepfamily and put them together in a photo album. This is a wonderful way to celebrate your unique family and the love that binds you all together.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Cook a family dinner together</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get everyone involved in cooking a special dinner together. This not only allows for quality time as a family, but also creates a delicious meal to enjoy together.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a stepfamily tradition</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Start a new tradition that is specific to your stepfamily, such as a monthly game night or an annual camping trip. This will help strengthen your bond and create special memories.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Write love letters to each other</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to write heartfelt letters to each member of your stepfamily expressing your love and appreciation for them. This is a beautiful way to celebrate your family and the love that you share.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Celebrating blended families</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Stepfamily Day is a day to recognize and celebrate the unique dynamics and bonds within blended families. It's a chance to acknowledge and appreciate the love, support, and sacrifices made by step-parents, step-siblings, and other members of blended families.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Bringing people together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Stepfamilies often face their own set of challenges, but National Stepfamily Day provides an opportunity to come together and strengthen bonds. It's a reminder that family extends beyond bloodlines and can be created through love and commitment.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Spreading awareness</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By celebrating National Stepfamily Day, we bring attention to the importance of supporting and accepting non-traditional families. It's a chance to educate others about the diverse makeup of modern families and promote understanding and acceptance for all types of familial relationships.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>National Stepfamily Day does not have an official declaration</h3><p class='facts-text'>Though it has been celebrated on September 16 since 1997, National Stepfamily Day currently does not have any official declaration from the United States Congress, making it an unofficial observance.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>The founder of the National Stepfamily Day also established a foundation</h3><p class='facts-text'>Following the establishment of National Stepfamily Day, Christy Borgeld went on to found the National Stepfamily Day Foundation, which is dedicated to providing support, resources, and education for blended families nationwide.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Approximately one in three Americans is part of a stepfamily</h3><p class='facts-text'>According to the Pew Research Center, about 40 percent of American adults have at least one step relative in their family, making Stepfamily day relatable to a sizable demographic.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Half of marriages in the U.S. involve at least one partner who has been married before</h3><p class='facts-text'>Increasingly, marriage is not just a landmark event, but can also become a part of the lifecycle, providing even more reason for the acknowledgment of stepfamilies.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Many famous figures came from blended families</h3><p class='facts-text'>Stars like Ashton Kutcher, LeAnn Rimes, and President Ronald Reagan himself were all either stepchildren or had stepchildren, showcasing that stepfamilies are an integral part of our society.</p></div></div>
National Stepfamily Day is celebrated on September 16th every year. In 2024 National Stepfamily Day will occur on a Monday.
2023
Sep 16
Saturday
2024
Sep 16
Monday
2025
Sep 16
Tuesday
2026
Sep 16
Wednesday
2027
Sep 16
Thursday
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