STEPMOM’S ONLINE COLUMN SPOTLIGHTS ISSUES FACED IN STEPFAMILIES

Source: Dawn Miller
dmiller@thestepfamilylife.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     September 10, 2003

Hometown, USA — If you think all stepmoms are like Cinderella’s evil stepmother, then you are in for a shock. Real-life stepmom Dawn Miller is trying to change the way Americans think about stepfamilies by writing weekly online columns.

With one year under her belt as a stepmom to three teens, Miller writes about the complex dealings of every day life inside a stepfamily – including how she feels about her husband’s ex-wife and the first time she was called stepmom by her 13-year old stepdaughter.

She also looks at the big picture – using her column to discuss the failure of Census 2000 to produce an accurate statistical snapshot of stepfamilies. Miller plans to incorporate family counseling advice and research, as well as personal anecdotes into future columns.

“With one-third of Americans today living in stepfamilies, the stepfamily is something that we as a society need to better understand,” said Miller. “I’m just trying to help people do that. The stepfamily phenomenon affects not only our homes, but also our schools and workplaces.”

The column is striking chords even with readers who don’t live in stepfamilies. “Your column gives some great food for thought,” said Charles Brown, of Gainesville, Fla. “It resonated with me. I often think about the lives of constant negotiation my divorced friends contend with and I hope these columns make it into some newspapers.”

Dated to begin running next week, Miller has begun a campaign to court newspaper editors. Offering three columns to editors for free, she hopes to stimulate discussion about stepfamilies in communities throughout the nation.

Her website at www.thestepfamilylife.com features columns, a monthly e-newsletter and links on stepfamily life.

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