Becoming a parent is one of the most wondrous times in a person’s life. It’s the beginning of a new adventure that will change your life forever. Whether it is by childbirth or by adoption, it is a time to celebrate! Each child is special, and each family has needs. What better way to show your love and support than to host an Adoption Shower.
Adoption showers are not much different than traditional baby showers. You will want to keep away from anything pertaining to ‘momma’s big belly’, as with adoption you do not want to focus on pregnancy. Another important factor to consider is the age of the child being adopted. If the child is not an infant, you will need to adjust your theme. Here are a few ideas to help you plan.
Themes:
1. Where’s the child from? You can plan around a country if it is an international adoption or by state if in the country. With this focus on traditions, colors, and food.
2. How old is the child? If the new arrival is older, try focusing on something the child’s interested in. Especially great if you are hosting the shower, when the child arrives!
3. Nursery or Room theme. If parents have already decided on nursery/room décor, then you can plan the shower around this.
4. Coed Shower. Adoption is usually an all inclusive shared journey between partners. Coed gives you a broad range of possibilities. Maybe an outdoor barbeque, just be sure not to make it too girly!
Games:
1. Name that Child. IF the child’s name has not been revealed, then you can let guests guess the name. Whoever gets it right, gets a prize. If no one wins, tell them they will have to wait for the arrival announcement to find out.
2. Adoption Trivia. Give everyone a piece of paper and 2 minutes to list all the famous people that have adopted children or children who were adopted. The person with the most names, wins.
3. The _____ (family’s name) Trivia. What’s the Child’s name? Where’s the Child from? How Old is the Child? How long has family been waiting for child? This can go on and on! All questions focus on family and adoption. For large groups it’s best to divide into teams.
4. Personalized Advice. If you know the child’s name, let guests personalize a list of advice for the child and parents that begin with each letter of the child’s name.
5. Child centered party games. Keep in mind that if shower will be held after older child arrives, then games should be kid friendly.
Invitations:
1. Do not get invitations revolving around or focusing on pregnancy!
2. Choose wording that reflects that this is an adoption. Keep in mind, that you do not have to announce that it is an adoption. Example: The Jones’s are happy to announce they will be adding to their family. Or, Children are miracles that can come to us from many ways! Come celebrate the arrival of our miracle. You can also, find poems about adoption that would be great for invitations and announcements.
These are only a few ideas to get you started. It will be helpful to get the family to complete a gift registry online or in their favorite store. That way guests will be able to fill their needs, because just like with the birth of a new baby there will be many things that they will need. The beauty of adoption is that you know that the child is wanted! It is definitely a time to celebrate the birth of a new family.
