The Joy of Waiting, Page 2

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Have Fun While You Wait

Journal / Lifebook

You may have started a journal or lifebook with notes and photographs as soon as you made the firm decision to adopt. As you reach the final stretch, consider pulling your book together, or preparing a new one to begin when your child is finally home. Don't plan on having too much free time to take care of details like these after your child arrives!

One of my creative friends recently adopted two brothers, ages 4 and 6, through the foster care system. Her husband gave each of the boys an inexpensive camera and showed them how to take pictures. Over the course of their pre-placement visits, the boys took pictures of people and places, and these photos were the first additions to their permanent lifebooks.

Best Resource

All About Lifebooks

Decorate While You Wait!

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Many parents planning to adopt a newborn are hesitant about finishing up the nursery before the baby is born and the papers are signed. This is a personal choice and for those who do want to wait until the last minute, make sure you know what those last minute items are and where to get them quickly!

Parents adopting older children have more flexibility since the kids will bring their own personalities (and perhaps some of their belongings) to your family home.

Welcoming Times

All of us want to welcome our child home in a meaningful way. One tradition I particularly like is welcoming a child with letters. They can be easily preserved in lifebooks or scrapbooks together with photographs and other mementos accumulated along the way.

Remember my creative friend with the cameras? She arranged for her boys' cousins - who are about the same ages - to write them letters of welcome that would be waiting for them when they got home. These were the first letters the boys had ever received addressed just to them, and they went a long way toward making them feel as though they were truly "family."

A little bit of extra planning can go a long way toward making the transition as smooth as possible.

I encourage you to read as much as possible and to take advantage of classes offered in your community, through parenting groups and agencies, and to plan a support system for yourself as well as your child.

Best Resources

Adoption Books
Education Resources
Preparing for the Arrival of Your Child - By Age and Stage
Taking Care of You

Resources Used in This Article

Adoption Forms Download Sites - Download forms from government sites
Books Without Borders - Foreign language books and videos
"Enduring The Wait" - by Bob Smith, Social Worker, Friends in Adoption
ESL Standards for preK-12 Schools - English as Second Language program information and resources
How to Choose a Pediatrian - Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics
Tips on Selecting an Adoption Therapist - Advice from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse on things to consider when seeking professional help

Comments

These are all wonderful ideas to help pass the time while you are waiting for an adoption placement. Keeping yourself busy will help the time pass much quicker and if you are doing something for your future child, then you will begin to feel that connection with them. Lifebooks are a great idea as you can write your feelings down in this book for your child to read later. Adopting is sometimes a long process and rather than sitting around waiting, doesn't it make more sense to do something constructive? There is nothing wrong with preparation. Visiting and setting up your support team is a great idea as you can learn more about the adoption process.

Posted by: conservation at 12/06/2005 06:35 PM

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