| Adopting a child means the ability to make a family | | | | or she came into their lives. Then turn their thoughts |
| when previously you couldn't. It is a joyous time, | | | | and photos into a book, with pictures of them |
| marked by apprehension and elation. However, | | | | together. A scrapbook makes a lovely memento, if |
| whereas most families can experience building a | | | | new parents missed out on certain events reserved |
| family from the ground up - the day they bring a | | | | for bringing a new baby into a family. |
| newborn home, even the day they find out they are | | | | Along the same lines as an album, a video of the |
| pregnant - adoptive families don't always have this | | | | new parents 'talking' to their child would also be a |
| opportunity. Sometimes the child they bring home is | | | | great way to preserve their thoughts surrounding this |
| several months old, maybe even a year. The new | | | | special time. There are many songs that could be |
| parents miss out on the first precious photos in | | | | used as a backing to footage of the new parents |
| plastic trolleys from the maternity ward, identity | | | | interacting with their child, or telling the camera how |
| bands that forever pronounce the new life as yours, | | | | they feel. |
| leaving the hospital, tiny clothes, tiny nappies, and | | | | If the baby being adopted is a little older, perhaps |
| other 'baby' things. | | | | clothing more suited for a younger baby - after all, |
| Sometimes the baby they bring home has their own | | | | the new parents might not have been able to dress |
| personality and traits that new parents must learn, | | | | their new son or daughter in 'baby' clothes, and had |
| instead of developing together. Sometimes they miss | | | | to go straight for toddler outfits. They might |
| out on bottles and pacifiers, the first taste of a solid | | | | appreciate the opportunity to dress their older |
| food, the first step or first word. | | | | addition in a 'cute' outfit, even if it is just a pair of |
| Gifts for adoptive parents could recreate these | | | | babyish pajamas. |
| memories (but never replace them). | | | | Maybe the baby was adopted from another country |
| Perhaps you could ask the new parents about their | | | | - if so, and the new parents wish to acknowledge |
| 'firsts' with their new baby. The first time they saw | | | | the cultural heritage of their child, then resources |
| their baby, the first time they held him or her. If | | | | from the native country might be a good gift. |
| photos of the baby are available from the carers | | | | Children's toys and a collection of lullabies, nursery |
| who looked after him or her before they were | | | | rhymes, folk tales or stories would make a treasured |
| adopted, for example, hospital photos or even when | | | | gift for both the new parents and their new child. |
| they were older, try and obtain these. Just because | | | | The adoption of a child needs to be commemorated, |
| they weren't parents at the time, there is no need | | | | and with a little thought, it can be - in a very special |
| for them to miss out on seeing their baby before he | | | | and unique way. |