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40 Stepdad Quotes That Celebrate Your Amazing Bonus Dad

Family isn't defined by DNA. These stepdad quotes will let him know how much he means to you!

Stepdad Quotes Opener
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Stepdad quotes to make him feel appreciated

Father’s Day comes but once a year (in June!), but Father’s Day quotes are good for any day you want to honor dad. Children can get specific in their cards and messages with father-son quotes, father-daughter quotes or even funny Father’s Day quotes. But what about the words of appreciation for your other father: your stepdad?

In Sweden, blended families are called bonusfamiljen: bonus family! Bonus Family is also the name of a successful Netflix show about a blended family in Sweden. This leads to the terms bonusmamma (bonus mom) and bonuspappa (bonus dad), which have been adopted by many English-speaking stepparents. We made this beautiful list of stepdad quotes to honor all bonus dads for Father’s Day. And to make him really feel appreciated, don’t forget to shop for stepdad Father’s Day gifts!

Stepdad Quote By Unknown
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“A stepparent is so much more than just a parent: They made the choice to love when they didn’t have to.” —Unknown

These are the best Father’s Day activities to celebrate that love.

Stepdad Quote By Abraham Lincoln
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“No man stands taller than when he stoops to help a child.” —Abraham Lincoln

If you don’t know what to write in a card to express your appreciation, try these Father’s Day messages.

Stepdad Quote By Johann Schiller
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“It’s not flesh and blood, but the heart that makes us father and son.” —Johann Schiller

Read these Father’s Day books for moving dad stories.

Stepdad Quote By Azriel Johnson
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“Stepparents are not around to replace a biological parent, rather to augment a child’s experience.” —Azriel Johnson

This lesson is one of the important things stepkids wish their stepparents knew.

Stepdad Quote By Unknown 2
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“We aren’t ‘step,’ we aren’t ‘half,’ we’re just family.” —Unknown

Don’t forget to shop for Father’s Day gifts!

Stepdad Quote By Tony Gaskins
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“Any man can help make a child, but it takes a special man to help raise a child.” —Tony Gaskins

If you need a laugh, try these hilarious parenting stories.

Stepdad Quote By Unknown 3
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“A child cannot have too many people who love them and want them to succeed.” —Unknown

These parent quotes capture that feeling of wanting nothing but the best for your child.

Stepdad Quote By Gerardo Campbell
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“My stepdad may not have given me life, but he sure has made my life better.” —Gerardo Campbell

One way dads make life better? Dad jokes!

Stepdad Quote By Tom Wolfe
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“He adopted a role called being a father so that his child would have something mythical and infinitely important: a protector.” —Tom Wolfe

These strength quotes will empower you to protect the loved ones in your life.

Stepdad Quote By Unknown 4
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“Family not by birth but by good fortune, I’m so lucky to have you in my life.” —Unknown

This one can double as a Father’s Day quote for your husband as well.

Stepdad Quote By Antoine Francois Prevost
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“The heart of a father is the masterpiece of nature.” —Antoine-François Prévost

Next, check out these sweet Father’s Day poems that will make Dad feel loved and appreciated.

Stepdad Quote By Unknown 5
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“A dad is someone who wants to catch you before you fall but instead picks you up, brushes you off and lets you try again.” —Unknown

Stepdad Quote By Wade Boggs
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“Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad, and that’s why I call you dad, because you are so special to me. You taught me the game, and you taught me how to play it right.” —Wade Boggs
Don’t miss these uplifting quotes to inspire your day.

Stepdad Quote By Unknown 6
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“A stepfather means so many things … an understanding heart, a source of strength and of support, right from the very start.” —Unknown

Stepdad Quote By Justin Ricklefs
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“The power of a dad in a child’s life is unmatched.” —Justin Ricklefs

Stepdad Quote By Michael J Fox
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“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” —Michael J. Fox

These family quotes will make you remember to cherish your loved ones.

Stepdad Quote By Barbara Bush
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“To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.” —Barbara Bush

Stepdad Quote By Unknown 7
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“A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.” —Unknown

Stepdad Quote By Valerie J Lewis Coleman
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“Step-parenting is like working at a late-night convenience store … all of the responsibility and none of the authority.” —Valerie J. Lewis Coleman

These funny family quotes are hilariously accurate.

Stepdad Quote By Cassandra Clare
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“Family isn’t blood. It’s the people who love you. The people who have your back.” —Cassandra Clare

Stepdad Quote By Ray Johnson
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“It takes a strong man to accept somebody else’s children and step up to the plate another man left on the table.” —Ray Johnson

Stepdad Quote By Wes Fesler
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“A family portrait is only complete with love to fill its frame.” —Wes Fesler

Stepdad Quote By George Eliot
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“What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life—to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.” —George Eliot

Stepdad Quote By Brad Paisley
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“Lookin’ back, all I can say about all the things he did for me, is I hope I’m at least half the dad that he didn’t have to be.” —Brad Paisley

Stepdad Quote By Richard Bach
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“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.” —Richard Bach

Don’t miss these life-changing quotes for a new perspective.

Stepdad Quote By Leigh Anne Tuohy
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“Families don’t have to match. You don’t have to look like someone else to love them.” —Leigh Anne Tuohy

Stepdad Quote By Unknown 8
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“Fatherhood requires love, not DNA.” —Unknown

Stepdad Quote By Barack Obama
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“Any fool can have a child. That doesn’t make you a father. It’s the courage to raise a child that makes you a father.” —Barack Obama

This is one of his many great presidential quotes.

Stepdad Quote By Unknown 9
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“Biology is the least of what makes someone a parent. Parenting comes from the heart.” —Unknown

Stepdad Quote By Al Hodson
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“The only steps in this house are the stair steps, and the only half in this house is the half & half creamer.” —Al Hodson

These funny parent tweets are too relatable!

Stepdad Quote By Unknown 10
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“Actions speak louder than DNA.” —Unknown

Stepdad Quote By Brian Urlacher
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“My mom is my heart. But my stepdad was my role model, the hardest working man I ever knew.” —Brian Urlacher

Don’t miss these mom quotes to celebrate both parents. 

Stepdad Quote By Sarah Dessen
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“Family isn’t something that’s supposed to be static or set. It’s always evolving, turning into something else.” —Sarah Dessen

Stepdad Quote By Unknown 11
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“Not being biologically related to a child, doesn’t make you any less of a parent.” —Unknown

Stepdad Quote By Dave Willis
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“Family isn’t defined only by last names or by blood; it’s defined by commitment and made by love.” —Dave Willis

Try these Father’s Day activities with your family.

Stepdad Quote By Unknown 12
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“You never tried to replace my parent, and now I could never replace you.” —Unknown

Stepdad Quote By Anne Brown
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“Co-parenting is not a competition. It’s a collaboration of two homes working together with the best interest of the child at heart. Work for your kids, not against them.” —Anne Brown

That’s good parenting advice!

Stepdad Quote By Unknown 13
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“I did not give you the gift of life. Life gave me the gift of you.” —Unknown

Stepdad Quote By Bobby Singer
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“Family don’t end with blood.” —Bobby Singer

Stepdad Quote By Unknown 14
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“I don’t have stepchildren, I have children who happened to be born before I met them.” —Unknown

Next, check out these hilarious Father’s Day memes.

Chloë Nannestad
Chloë writes about quirky facts, trivia and humor for Reader's Digest. She loves to put her research skills to use to discover the meaning behind everyday objects or the right way to interpret a pet’s behavior—and as an enthusiastic pub-quiz team member, her favorite topic to write about is trivia. Chloë has been covering lifestyle topics for Reader's Digest since 2020 and has also had work published in Mashed and Tasting Table. When she's not writing, you can find her knitting, jogging or adding another houseplant to the jungle in her apartment.