Tips for Bonding with a New Adopted Child
Bringing a baby home always requires an adjustment. Bringing an adopted baby home requires, at times, even more. Particularly if you're bringing a child who is not an infant into your home, or if you're bringing a child from another country to America, you will have a number of issues to face. Here are some suggestions for adjusting to the new adopted baby.
Baby Announcements
You certainly want to share your excitement with others about the new baby. There are many ways to do this, and one of them is with birth announcements. There is certainly no reason to be shy about adopting a baby or to be embarrassed over your enthusiasm. You want to welcome this child into your life and into your community of friends and family. If you've adopted internationally, then the baby is yours as soon as you pick him up. Keep in mind, however, that most states have a grace period if you've adopted domestically. Biological parents have 30 to 60 days in which to reconsider their decision and reclaim the child. Some parents will choose to ignore this period of indecision and go ahead with announcements and other activities. Others will want to wait this period out before celebrating in a public way. This decision is, certainly, up to you, but it's important to know the laws in the state where you live and to make decisions that will make you comfortable. Once you're ready, enjoy creating adorable announcements and share your happiness with those around you.
Scrapbooking
Every parent wants to cherish the memories that they have with their child. One great way to do this is through scrapbooking. There are a number of ways that this can help an adopted child. If you're adopting a child who is not an infant, you can create a lifebook for them. Include in the lifebook any details that you know about their life before they were part of your family, and then continue the book once they join your family. Such a book can be helpful to the child to know about his original culture and background and to use at school when they discuss family. If you adopt an infant, then a scrapbook can be a lovely way to document the baby's development as part of your life and your family. As your child gets older, he can help compile the scrapbook with you, creating a lovely bonding activity.
Creating a Routine
When you bring a new person into your life, there are certainly going to be a lot of adjustments. It's very important to create a routine early on and to start to bond and establish your relationship with your new child. If you're bringing home a baby, consider various tools that will allow you to bond. Try to use a stroller that keeps the baby facing you, and find a baby carrier that you enjoy that fits against your body. Try to establish eye contact throughout the day, to play the same music each morning or during each nap, and to create routines that feel familiar to the baby. If you've brought a baby from another country, remember that the child may experience jet lag. Give her time to adjust slowly and help to create routines that will help her body to recognize your time patterns. Even if you're adopting a slightly older child, it will still appreciate routines. Create bedtime routines, morning routines and expectations in the house. Children, especially those who are coming from environments with turmoil, will appreciate and thrive with routines.
There are certainly many, many other ways to welcome a new child into your life and to establish yourself as a family. Take things slowly and remember that there are bound to be adjustments on both sides. Your baby or child needs time to get to know you and to adjust to his new surroundings. This is natural. You, as well, need time to create routines and to adjust to your new life with your precious new addition.
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