Celebrating the love and selflessness of bonus parents—those who raise children they didn’t create but love like their own.
This past Sunday, July 27th, 2025, was on a list I found on google when searching for specific days we celebrate. It is the date for Parents’ Day—at least according to the internet.
I have since discovered the official Parents’ Day, as established by the United Nations in 2012, is actually June 1st, every year.
✏️ I thought about saving this article for next year but decided I love the theme and message too much so I chose to go ahead and publish.
Even though it is (or is not) parents day I realised we already have mothers day and fathers day so I’m taking this moment to celebrate something incredibly important: bonus parents.
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| "For a large part of my life my maternal grandparents supported my mum in raising us. They will forever be my “Bonus Blessing’s” |
You may not know or are possibly wondering what’s a “Bonus Parent”? Here's what I'm wonderin, if We already have Mother’s Day and Father’s Day—do we need another celebratory day for us parents?
I decided…. Yes. Yes, we do.
But not for those of us who are caring for our birth children, the ones we gave life too. We need it for the bonus parents.
Because bonus parents are the quiet heroes. They’re the aunties, uncles, step-parents, grandparents, older siblings, friends, foster carers and any others you can think of. Anyone who steps in to help raise a child who isn’t biologically theirs.
They’re not just “helpers” or “filling in.” They’re real, active parental figures doing the daily work of love, care, and guidance.
There are countless people out there raising kids they didn’t bring into this world—some part-time, some full-time, some from a distance, and some under their own roof. They do the tough stuff—bedtime routines, personal care, tears and tantrums, and those middle-of-the-night wake-up calls. They’re reading stories, packing lunches, patching scraped knees, and helping with school projects. They’re wiping noses, drying tears, and scaring away the monsters.
Bonus parents love with a little more appreciation, I believe. And the best part we still have them when we grow up.
My stepdad, Stewart, is a perfect example. He’s always been there for me and now for my own kids, too. Whether I need picked up from the supermarket, a hand with a shelf needing put up, or just a listening ear, he shows up—usually with Mum not far behind, giving him loving direction. Bonus parenting at its finest.
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| "Myself, my mum and my dad (step-dad)." |
Bonus parents bring something unique to a child’s life. They offer love and stability, contribute their own parenting style, and become deeply invested in a child’s wellbeing. They often give so much of their time, energy, money, and heart—and they do it all without having created the child themselves. That deserves recognition. That deserves celebration.
So if you have a bonus parent in your life—whether they help raise your child or helped raise you—take a moment to celebrate them. Tell them how much you love and appreciate them. Do something to make them smile (even if it’s just flashing your partner quickly whilst they do some chores — hey, no judgment here!).
And if you are a bonus parent, hear this:
You are a wonderful, rare kind of human. You are doing one of the most beautiful, selfless things a person can do—loving and raising a child that isn’t biologically yours. Give yourself a pat on the back and know that you are doing an amazing job.
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| “Those Bonus Parents also make fantastic grandparents too." |
Please give the “bonus parents” you know a little love and appreciation and leave a comment below with their name and a message of gratitude and praise from you.
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