How to Celebrate Your New Adoption

Parents who choose to create their family through private or foster adoption obviously go through a different process than those who have children naturally. There isn’t nine months of waiting – sometimes it’s two years or one year or six months. Your family and friends and even yourself can only prepare so much for the child or children that is to arrive in your home.

However, just because your path to parenthood is different than maybe your friend’s or family’s, that’s not to say that you can’t celebrate bringing a child into your family as others do. Here are five amazing ways that you can celebrate your adoption:

1. Adoption Shower

Baby showers are fun ways in which families and friends gather to celebrate the upcoming arrival of a new baby. But who says you can’t do the same for an adoption? Enter: the adoption shower. Whether you’re adopting privately or through the foster care system, there’s not usually a set time in which you’re able to plan when your child will arrive in your home, so rather than having a shower prior to the arrival of your child – have one after. By having your adoption shower after your adoption, it will allow you to register for the shower per the age, gender, and needs of your child whether they be 5 months old or 15 years old. Keep in mind that this adoption shower can be set up however you wish. You can make it an adults-only party, or bring along your new addition to the family. It’s up to you!

2. Personal Family Dinner

When celebrating your adoption, it’s sometimes nice to keep it close and low-key. If you adopt a child that is a bit older and aware, it can be overwhelming to introduce them to a lot of people at once. Why not celebrate the adoption with a dinner with immediate family members? This can be done at home, hosted by a sibling, or a fun night out at a kid-friendly restaurant. It’s a great way to show your child who their immediate family is without overwhelming them at the beginning.

3. Small Get Togethers

As mentioned above, it might take time for your child to adjust to your family and friends – and that’s okay! Once you think that you’ve had enough time to bond with them, start introducing them to your family, friends, and their children with small get togethers. This can be something that you host at your home and can be relaxed and include pizza and play dates. Small get togethers allows the most important people in your life to meet your child without overwhelming anyone in the long run.

4. Meet the Family Shindig

Adoptive families deserve a day in the spotlight and there’s nothing better than a large family shindig to do just that. For new parents with little ones (0-2 years of age) or teens, hosting a large family gathering to celebrate the adoption of your child might be something that you do right away. Other new adoptive parents might want to wait a bit for their family and child to adjust to new surroundings so that no one feels overwhelmed. Regardless of when you think the time is right, heat up the barbecue, turn up the music, and have a big backyard affair with family and friends. And don’t forget to take pictures! Your child will love to look back one day and see how happy and excited family and friends were to have them join your family.

5. Family Vacation

Forget parties, friends, or family for one moment, and remember that your adoption is about the initial forming of your immediate family. If you want to celebrate your adoption in a personal and relaxed environment, consider taking a family vacation. This doesn’t have to be a huge endeavor that involves a plane flight across the country. It can be something that just involves packing the family up to go explore a nearby national park or the ocean for the weekend. Regardless, it’s a great way to start making memories with your child(ren) and a perfect way to allow your family to start bonding together as a family unit.

For more adoption ideas or information, check out our Pinterest adoption board by clicking here!