If your friend has embarked upon the calling of becoming an adoptive parent, let the celebration begin. Just like a traditional pregnancy announcement, the decision to adopt also includes excitement, apprehension, and the onset of panic as you prepare for the days to come. As a friend, find supportive ideas to make your friend’s adoption special and rejoice with them as they welcome their new little one into the family.
1. Host a Shower
No matter the manner in which a child comes to join a family, there will be necessary items to assist the family in caring for their child. Whether through birth or adoption, a family welcoming a child can be greatly blessed by friends hosting a shower. Helping adoptive parents prepare for life after the adoption will not only encourage their journey but will also energize their transition into parenthood.
2. Celebrate Their Day in Court
After your friend comes home with their adopted child, the legalities are not finished. Months after placement, your friend’s family will stand before a judge and promise to care for this child as their own. They will celebrate the finality of the paperwork, the conclusion of the process, and the beginning of knowing their life will never be the same. Help celebrate this day in court with your friend. Attend the hearing as part of their cheering squad. Take pictures for them so they can focus on being in the moment. Bring cake or balloons as part of the celebration. Make this special day one that your friends will never forget.
3. Extend a Hand
We all know what it feels like to be overwhelmed. Being a first-time parent can be just that, a bit overwhelming. Getting acquainted with a new schedule, new demands, and new responsibilities can tire a person out pretty quickly. Offer to extend a helping hand to your friend once their child has come home. Prepare a meal for their family or assist in household chores to lighten their load.
4. Lend an Ear
New parents or friends who have experienced adoption will not only have more of a load on their plate, but they will also be filled with new emotions and sometimes need help processing their feelings. Many times, the best way to celebrate is by just listening to their excitement or hearing their most recent stories of what their new life is like. Lend your ear and warm their heart.
5. Support Their Fundraisers
Whether it’s before or after your friend has brought their child home through adoption, they will most likely be holding different fundraisers to help with the adoption costs. Ask what you can do to help. Sell raffle tickets. Volunteer your time. Post their information on social media. Take the burden of financial concerns from them by helping in any way you can.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, your friend will appreciate your support and merriment as you walk alongside them in their adoption journey.
Jill is a 32-year-old wife and mom. She has been married to her husband, Brannon, for eight years and has 5-year-old and 1-year-old daughters. Jill and her husband are currently in the adoption process to bring another baby into their home. Jill lives in a small community in Kentucky. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Spanish and obtained her Master’s degree in Christian Ministries. Jill’s passions are her faith, her family, writing, playing sports, and eating good food.
