As adoptive parents, you have several unique opportunities to celebrate special milestones with your adopted child. Recognizing these helps your child feel valued and loved.
Here are three ways to honor and remember your child’s adoption, their birth families, and memorable milestones.
Celebrate “Gotcha Day”
In Texas, as in most states, the legal wait time to finalize an adoption is usually six months after the courts place the child in the adoptive parents’ home. Although to you, your adopted child has been family all along, “Gotcha Day” makes it a reality.
Whether you call it “Gotcha Day” or “Family Day,” it’s the day your child officially and legally becomes a family member. It’s a special day to tell your child the story of their birth, how you met their birth mother, and how they are loved by so many.
Start a new family tradition. Perhaps you celebrate with a unique meal that recognizes their heritage, or visit a place that holds special meaning to your family. If your birth mother received assistance from a pregnancy resource center or adoption agency, consider making a donation or volunteering your family’s time.
Although this is the perfect day to celebrate as a family, be sensitive to your child’s changing emotions about “Gotcha Day.” It may have different meanings at different times in your child’s life. Always keep the lines of communication open as you approach the day.
Honor Birth Mother’s Day
Birth Mother’s Day occurs on the Saturday before Mother’s Day. It’s the perfect time to celebrate and remember your child’s birth mother.
Whether your child has contact with their birth mom or not, Birth Mother’s Day reminds them that more than one family loves them. If you have an open or semi-open relationship with your child’s birth mom, have your child draw a picture, send a card, or give a gift.
Even if you don’t have contact with their birth mother, it’s still important to honor her in whatever way you can. Teach your child to respect their birth family, but be sensitive to your unique adoption situation.
Create an Adoption Life Book
Photos of special family memories are a part of every family’s history, but for the adopted child, it’s especially important to be able to review their adoption milestones.
Create a scrapbook or photo album specifically related to their adoption. Add photos, cards, letters, and other memories from your child’s birth family. Keep track of the dates you visited each other, whether in person, via FaceTime, or by phone.
Make note of the things your child has in common with their birth families. Do they both love a particular food? Music? Hobby?
A Life Book creates a special connection to your child’s birth families that you can continually review. It’s the perfect conversation starter.
Do You Need More Information About Adoption?
Whether you are a mother facing an unexpected pregnancy or a couple wishing to adopt, Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach can assist you.
We offer many services, including adoption information. Let us know how we can help you. For information about our Outreach, either text or email us. For specific information about adoption, fill out our confidential Contact Form or text us.
Whether you choose to work with us or not, we’re always here to answer your questions. Contact us today.