Happy Stepmother’s Day 2024!
Stepmother’s Day: Celebrating The Unsung Heroes Of Blended Families
Mother’s Day is the second Sunday in May every year, but do you know what happens on the third Sunday? Stepmother’s Day! If you haven’t heard of Stepmother’s Day, it’s a national holiday celebrating all the love and devotion that stepmothers provide. While it’s not as well-known as Mother’s Day, 40% of families in the US are blended families – so we should all be paying attention to this Day!
What Is Stepmother’s Day?
Stepmother’s Day is a holiday designed to complement Mother’s Day. It was first recognized in 2000, when 9-year-old Lizzie Capuzzi wanted a day to celebrate her stepmom, Joyce. With a letter to their state senator, the holiday was quickly adopted and announced in the Congressional Record, cementing it as a special day for stepmothers.
Unlike biological mothers, who celebrate Mother’s Day, stepmothers may not always receive the same acknowledgment or appreciation. But their role in nurturing and shaping the lives of their stepchildren is no less significant! Stepmothers are essential and deserve to be celebrated on their Day.
How To Celebrate Stepmother’s Day
Family activities are perfect for celebrating Stepmother’s Day. Mother’s Day-centric activities, like brunch, breakfast in bed, and family outings, are ideal ways to show your stepmother how important she is. Doing extraordinary things that emphasize your role as a blended family can also show a stepmother how important she is.
Being a stepmother can be awkward sometimes, and the relationship between her and her stepkids can be challenging. So, on Stepmother’s Day, celebrate what makes this relationship unique.
One way to do that is with pictures. Were the kids there for your wedding to their stepmom? Bring out the pictures and talk about how much fun the Day was! When you go out and do things together, get photos of the whole family. Yes, asking a stranger to hold your phone for a snapshot can be scary, but you can always use a selfie stick.
Moms are often the ones taking the pictures, which can make them feel invisible—and stepmoms even more so. So gather everyone around, find your best angles, and create memories that include the whole family.
Why Celebrate Stepmother’s Day?
Stepmothers and their kids have a unique relationship, so it makes sense that there’s a special day for them. It can also help lessen some issues around Mother’s Day; if the kids’ biological mom is still in the picture, they may feel loyalty conflicts when celebrating with someone else. A special day dedicated to stepmoms can reduce conflict and tension over how the Day is celebrated.
However, some people prefer to celebrate stepmothers on Mother’s Day and don’t acknowledge Stepmother’s Day. They reason that Mother’s Day is for all moms, including stepmothers. Some people also feel that Stepmother’s Day sets stepmoms apart and makes them feel less appreciated. After all, Mother’s Day gets a lot of national attention, and it’s expected that people take that Sunday as a particular day. But fewer people know about Stepmother’s Day.
And that’s a real shame, but we can change that! This year, on May 19, acknowledge and appreciate the stepmoms. Tell them how much they’re loved and appreciated, and be extra kind to them on their special Day. Being a stepmother is hard work, and our stepmoms deserve a break and extra love on their holiday.
What do you think? Do you celebrate Mother’s Day, Stepmothers’ Day, or both? Leave a comment and let us know how your family celebrates!
