It's for men and women in committed relationships, with a spousal equivalent, significant other, boyfriend/girlfriend, or same sex partner where a traditional marriage is not chosen. English provides a variety of words to describe folks in serious relationships but the words are full of ambiguity... Just reflect on the word "Partner." Without a traditional marriage ... Read More about Who is this site for?
The definition of family in today's world is broadening Today, traditional marriage is one form of "family." Plenty of couples who can't or choose not to marry are nevertheless a "real" family. We introduce these mates ... Read More about So Many of Us are Para-Kin
Welcome to Para-Kin. What’s this all about, you might ask? It’s about gaps in the English language. It was quite by accident that we stumbled into this word dilemma. A few years back, my partner and I went to the ER at a ... Read More about Origin
AFFIDAVIT OF PARA-SPOUSES We, _____________________ and ____________________, on this _____ day of ... Read More about Affidavit of Commitment
To all the Para-kin families, blended families and step-families, we are soliciting stories, anecdotes, articles or essays to share for publication. If you are or have that special p-mom, p-dad in your family or you are blessed with a p-son or daughter, please email your story to myparakin@gmail.com, or use the form below. Any questions, please contact me directly. It’s…
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“Kinship is the most universal and basic of all human relationships and is based on ties of blood, marriage, or adoption. There are two basic kinds of kinship ties: those based on blood ties that trace descent and those based on marriage, adoption, or other connections.” Definition by Crossman, Ashley. “Kinship.” ThoughtCo, Mar. 2, 2017, thoughtco.com/kinship-3026370. Para-kin refers to this…
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I read your article yesterday and I had to write. I had love, joy and honor with PK. His daughter, who I met 23 years before, treated me like a newcomer, the day he died. Hurt? You bet, but in the end, it is about a great relationship. And she knows the truth – there is no hiding that Karma. PK had Alzheimer’s…
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This concept of family inclusion is so necessary that I want to share my experience. I spent 49 years in a close relationship with my stepdad. More time with him than his children, which was sad. They loved him but life went on for them. I went up every other weekend to help with him and we loved each other. When he passed…
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Para-kin.. What is it? So many folks are asking questions so here is a short synopsis. They are new terms which are foreign and strange sounding, pretty much like Ms. was in the fifties. But look at “Ms” now. It’s on every form that we encounter. So Para-kin terms like p-mom or p-dad sound odd until they break into the lingo. “Para” meaning…
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Some partners are asked that regularly. Folks often jump to the conclusion that “it must have been a horrible divorce the first time around.” or they hear, “he was taken to the cleaners by his first wife.” Truth is, for some couples, this is exactly why they will not marry again. But there are a number of reasons why people are not marrying or remarrying…
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