Stepparents and their families deserve a holiday

Jeanne Phillips

Dear Abby: In 1985 I met a lovely divorced lady with two adorable children. The three of us got along well. A year later I married into this family. Until then I had no children of my own.

The kids had regular visits with their father. The first Father’s Day after I married their mom, we arranged for them to spend the weekend with him.

Later, my family and I discussed the idea of holidadys and came up with the idea for a Stepparents’ Day on the second Sunday in August. When that day arrived, we all went to church and then to brunch. The kids gave me cards and a nice gift. It was a wonderful day, and it became a tradition. I wrote a letter about it to our mayor, who sent me back an official-looking document proclaiming the second Sunday in August to be Stepparents’ Day in our city. It was gratifying.

Abby, your readers in blended families may want to observe this special day, too.

Dear Stepdad: Your letter made me smile. When I went online to learn more about it, I discovered that National Stepfamily Day has been observed on Sept. 16 for more than 20 years. You may want to consider adding it to your calendar because it celebrates members of the blended family.

Dear Abby: My future sister-in-law, “Leta,” and her daughter came from overseas to visit for a few weeks. They had never met my family, and I decided a bowling excursion would be a good way for them to meet my sister “Eileen” and her family. Later that evening, Eileen texted me saying a friend of hers was recently diagnosed with lipedema and Leta may have it as well, based on her body type. I ignored the text but didn’t delete it. A few days later my fiancee saw it. Now she’s furious with my sister, saying she was “rude” and she shouldn’t judge someone she just met because Eileen isn’t a medical professional. Was my sister out of line?

Dear in the Middle: Eileen’s motive may have been pure when she mentioned her concerns in light of her friend’s diagnosis. While your fiancee had a point when she said your sister doesn’t have the expertise to make a medical diagnosis, the text that upset her was meant for you, not her.