Welcome Home Adoption Party...?

Question

Has anyone who's adopted thrown a Welcome Home Adoption party for their new child? If so, what type of party did you throw? Looking for ideas for a 24 month old to welcome her into the family.

Answer 1

Yes this is a great idea.

Kinda like a baby shower

why not have one for the new parents and their new baby.

I have not adopted and think that is a wonderful idea.

all children deserve a welcoming no matter how they come into the family.

Invite the friends and family to your home or a place with space and put on invites a Welcome Home Party for our new son/daughter ______ and celebrate the child and the new parents.

Since the child is a two, give him or her a chance to settle in and  bond with the new parents and close relatives.   But once that has been established then celebrate the new family member.

Congrats from my family to yours.

Answer 2

we adopted a newborn and had a baby shower when she was 1 mo old. however older children often have attachment issues with adoption and I would strongly recommend keeping her interactions limited to the immediate family for the initial weeks or months (depending how she adjusts).

I think the "baby shower" before she arrives is a great idea. once she has had a chance to adjust introduce her to your friends in small groups. then have a big celebration on the 1 year anniversary of the adoption.

Answer 3

Many adoption parties have been thrown at my house :D

We get everyone involved in making banners, cakes and etc. We've adopted 3 children. The most recent being Tayla. She had her party just a teensy while ago. Madeline, age 2, finger painted on the signs and we all decorated with balloons and such.

Answer 4

Throw a party just as you would for their birthday. A smaller party b/c you don't want to overwhelm the child but interactive enough so that it entertains them. Also keep foods and snacks that are kids friendly as well as something for the adults. Surround them with people who will now be a part of their life. Congrats!!

Answer 5

Its lovely your want to have a party for your new toddler however I wouldnt recommend anything too big, moving into a new home with a new family is quite a stressful time for all involved particularly the child. On the day our little one moved in we just wanted some quiet time alone with her before introducing her to any one else in the family so it maybe you want to settle your little one in for a few weeks before you do anything big as it may overwhelm. Goodluck with the adoption hope everything goes well for you all

Answer 6

Please keep it small and low key. Little ones can be overwhelmed easily, especially those transitioning to your home from someplace else. Is this an International adoption, or foster care, maybe? Many parents who have adopted toddlers have told me they wished they had spent a month alone bonding with their new child before bringing lots of people into the house.

Just something to consider. Congrats!

Answer 7

I would not recommend a party for a 24 month old. First of all this child is transitioning from one home to another. You don't give enough information to know the entire situation but I am thinking no party. Some of the reasons have been mentioned (overwhelming the child) but the other is to prevent attachment and bonding issues with the parents.

For a new born they inherently have a sense of who there parents are because of the person who feeds them and meets their needs. A 24 month old may ahve been in an orphanage then suddenly without being able to understand what is happening has been placed in foster care Then again without much understanding of what is happening they are suddenly removed from that home and placed in the arms of a stranger. In a party situation, everyone wants to hold the child and love on her but that is the last thing this child needs. What she needs MOST is to be isolated from everyone but her family so she learns that this is her family. If she is handed around from one guest to another at a party (even a small one) she will become overwhelmed and anxious or quite the opposite freely go to anyone and show indescriminate affection to everyone. This is a serious attachment sign.

Based on the age of the child I would not recommend a party. Sorry. I know everyone is excited to meet the child but for the CHILD'S best interest rather than the feelings of grown adults, I would not do it. At the very least wait several months before having a small gathering.

Answer 8

that is a cool idea. i think any type of party would be good. keep it like a welcome home party you would throw for any baby coming home. hang a sign on the front door tie ballons out on the lawn. make it a celebration that you can do every year.

Answer 9

I completely understand how this is a monumental and joyous occasion, and so obviously you would want to celebrate.  However, I am the mom of a 26-month old little girl and a 6-week old baby girl, and I can tell you first-hand that little kids can get very overwhelmed in a very short period of time by large groups of people and too much stimulation.

Here is my suggestion based on experience: before she is home, throw a little party for yourself, baby-shower style.  Have some friends over to do something fun, like decorate her bedroom or make scrapbook pages for her, and it can be a fun "last hoorah" before you are a busy mom!  This unofficial celebration will be a neat way to include your friends in your excitement.

Then, wait a few months for your friends and family to meet your new little girl after you bring her home.  I know it will be SO hard to contain your excitement, but it is going to be a major adjustment period for your new daughter.  Let her get to know you.  So many big transitions in such a short time in early life is tough for any little kid to handle, so let her get to know you, get used to her new house and her new life, and when most of the "kinks" have been worked out, then you can throw a barbecue or something for all of your friends and family.  If you have one or two close relatives who are going to be a daily presence in her life, then obviously they can meet her sooner, but otherwise, just take lots of digital pics to send to all of your friends and family to keep them in the loop until you are ready for a bigger bash.

Having a toddler is very different from a newborn; with most people, their new children are newborns, and it's a little easier for everyone to pay a visit when the newest family member is a sleepy, oblivious little bundle of joy.  Toddlers are, in contrast, very sensitive to their surroundings, and this will be scary for her.  You have been waiting to meet your daughter for a long, long time.  You owe it to yourself and your new daughter to let her make this transition as gentle as possible.  She will need a quite and stress-free environment to come home to so that she can feel stable and relaxed.  After a few months, go ahead and do it up; maybe throw a special birthday party or something like that.  Congratulations and good luck!

Answer 10

As long as there are presents and cake the baby will love whatever you do. I wouldn't sing though cause kids that age can be funny about it. You could make it like a birthday party, of sorts. Congrats on the new arrival, It's a girl!!!!

Answer 11

I think it's a great Idea

My brother lives far away.

When he adopted his child, in January, that summer, when he came up, we had a Welcome to the family cake

I use this for wedding showers and Baptism

His wife thought it was very nice

Have it like a shower/birthday party for her

Gifts clothes and toys

Answer 12

I know a lady she's adopted two children and they celebrated A Gotcha Day every year.  To celebrated the day they got the child(ren). I never heard of it but i think its a good idea.

Answer 13

i guess my parents had one for me when they brought me home. my cousins will sometimes tell me about it

i think it is a wonderful idea, but be careful, that age gets overloaded quick and if people are pawing all over them and stuff they may become extremely unruly and that would be no fun

keep it low key but definately celebrate, i wish all the best to you

Answer 14

We just had one last night!  We adopted a little guy at a year and a half and had a party announcing the addition to our family.  I sent out announcements (just as if I would have had a baby)  and then we had a celebration.  We had cake and finger foods.  I set up a table with pictures of him and a autograph page that could be framed.  My husband got up and said a little thank you.  He thanked everyone for their support and for accepting K.... as part of our family.  It was a lot of fun!!

Answer 15

When we brought our son home, we had a "Welcome Home Open House" the day after we brought him home.  It allowed people to come and go so that no one was completely overwhelmed at one time.  We had a cake that said "Welcome Home".  We did not go overboard at that time because he was new to us, and he was only 6 months old so we didn't want to overwhelme him or us.  A few weeks later, my mother threw a surprise shower for me and my son - so it was neat having him there too.

We continue to celebrate "Welcome Home Day" or "Gotcha Day" every year.  We do not have a party but we do celebrate it with a gift and special day for our son.  We feel it's important for him to realize how special that day is to us as a family.  We even let him take cupcakes or donuts to school that day to help promote the idea in his class.  We feel the earlier children learn about adoption, the less they will make fun of it in future years because they will have always known about it.  Wishful thinking maybe but worth a shot.  :)

Congratulations on your new little one!