| For most parents adopting a child is a very exciting, | | | | Another very important consideration when planning |
| but also a very anxious, time. Most adoptions take a | | | | a shower for an adopted child is the child's age. |
| considerable time and are not without problems along | | | | Children of all ages are adopted and it is just as |
| the way so that it can be many weeks or even | | | | appropriate to welcome an eight, ten or twelve year |
| months before the adoptive parents can breathe | | | | old child into the family as it is to welcome a baby. |
| easily and resume their normal family life. The | | | | With an older child however you need to consider |
| finalization of an adoption is also a time when many | | | | the fact that the child himself or herself will be much |
| parents want to have a baby shower to gather their | | | | more the central figure of the party, rather than the |
| family and friends together and welcome their | | | | usual mother-to-be, and so your planning will need to |
| newest family member. | | | | be centered very much around the child. |
| In many ways a baby shower for an adopted child is | | | | For an older child it might be more appropriate to |
| no different from a shower for any other child and | | | | organize a shower along the lines of a birthday party |
| the only real difference lies in the timing of the | | | | themed to the age of the child and involving other |
| shower. Planning the shower date before the | | | | children of a similar age. You might also want to think |
| adoption is finalized is often considered to be unwise | | | | about hiring a professional entertainer such as a |
| as there are invariably delays of one sort or another | | | | clown or a magician and of organizing games |
| and there is always the possibility that the adoption | | | | centered on the children rather than the adult guests. |
| will not do through at all. It is best therefore to wait | | | | Gifts can sometimes pose a problem with an older |
| until everything is finalized and the adoption | | | | child because guests may need some guidance on |
| completed before making any plans for a shower. | | | | whether their gifts should be items which the parents |
| But waiting until everything is completed may not | | | | needs for the new child or should be more in the |
| always be what the parents want. If for example, | | | | way of birthday gifts for the child. Here again it is |
| the child they are adopting is their first child they are | | | | best for the host to be guided by the parents and |
| going to need baby clothes and other items and the | | | | then communicate their wishes to the guests in the |
| baby shower is the ideal time for friends and family | | | | normal manner. |
| to help out with these. Even if the child is not their | | | | Other than the points already mention planning a |
| first, or is an older child, they may still need age | | | | baby shower for an adopted child should simply |
| appropriate items for the child and again a baby | | | | follow the normal pattern with a date and venue |
| shower provides the ideal opportunity for others to | | | | being selected as far in advance as possible and |
| assist. | | | | invitations being send out. Such things as decorations, |
| Each adoption is different and parents will handle the | | | | food, drink and games will then follow on in turn and |
| adoption process in their own special way. So, when | | | | everyone will have a thoroughly enjoyable time with |
| it comes to planning a baby shower the best | | | | the newest member of the family feeling that he or |
| approach is simply to talk to the parents and see | | | | she is loved and is surrounded and supported by a |
| how they feel and what they want. | | | | new family and friends. |