Adoption Announcement

[CurtisB]

My husband and I have begun the adoption process hoping to adopt a newborn. We're in the middle of the home study right now. We haven't told a lot of people about it and want to do a fun announcement in some way. We're going to WDW and on a Disney cruise in October and we're trying to think of a fun picture or something we could do as part of the announcement. Any ideas?
Thanks!

 

[roseaster]

Not to be a killjoy, but wait. My friend adopted and there are so many things that can delay or change plans, and then so many explanations that you have to make to so many people after that.

She has had 2 adoptions where birth mothers have changed their minds. Like losing a pregnancy, it can be very painful to explain.

 

[Thing 1]

Sadly that is exactly what I was going to say. Our dear friends adopted the most precious little girl ever but the road was nothing less than cruel. They had three birth moms change their minds...one after they had already held the baby and all after they had shared the wonderful news. With the baby they were successful with, they told no one other than their parents until the 10 day time to change mind required in our state had passed. Everyone knowing made the loss sooooo much harder for them. My prayer is that you have a perfect journey but knowing the reality might be helpful.

 

[Camshell]

I'm an adoptive parent. The wait can be long and the process can be unpredictable. If you choose to do this I would recommend only sharing with very close family or friends. As others have said there can be some painful moments in the process that can be difficult to share. Good luck on your journey.

 

[CurtisB]

Thanks for the inputs, you are all obviously correct. We know a lot can go wrong in the process. We're just very excited.

 

[Baklava]

Thanks for the inputs, you are all obviously correct. We know a lot can go wrong in the process. We're just very excited.

Of course you are. It's tough to balance the joy with the uncertainty.

 

[Kaleea]

What about planning an adoption announcement at Disney when the process is finalized? Plan the announcement for right after your Gottcha Day.

 

[CurtisB]

What about planning an adoption announcement at Disney when the process is finalized? Plan the announcement for right after your Gottcha Day.

That's a great idea and another excuse to go to Disney World

 

[Sagginit]

Not WDW but one of my friends does chalkboard signs and baby announcements. Anyways she recently did one for a family she knew that adopted and it was Superman themed..... it started off with Superman was adopted too and then listed all the "adoption" milestones they had along the way. If your budget permits I would wait until the child is legally yours and then you can take a trip to celebrate/announce. You could theme the announcement around an adopted Disney character. I see Stitch there so it could be something about how Ohana means family... it means no one gets left behind... etc.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Nothing to add as I have no experience but just wanted to say congrats! You must be so excited! I hope all goes well.

 

[CurtisB]

Not WDW but one of my friends does chalkboard signs and baby announcements. Anyways she recently did one for a family she knew that adopted and it was Superman themed..... it started off with Superman was adopted too and then listed all the "adoption" milestones they had along the way. If your budget permits I would wait until the child is legally yours and then you can take a trip to celebrate/announce. You could theme the announcement around an adopted Disney character. I see Stitch there so it could be something about how Ohana means family... it means no one gets left behind... etc.

The Stitch idea is great one! It's one of our favorite movies, we met in Hawaii and I was actually born and raised there!

 

[wilkeliza]

Perhaps you can take the photos on this trip but just hold onto them until everything is 100% final.

My cousin adopted and she did not share anything on social media or anything about the baby until he was 100% theirs. They had him in their home from the day he was born but due to parental rights laws they had to wait a length of time and put out a newspaper announcement and a few other things saying that he was born and was being adopted because I guess the bio father was unknown and they had to give enough information that his father could see it and come forward if he wanted to.

 

[3Gsandme]

You've got great advice. My friends adopted and it took between 18 months and two years for them to be matched to their son's birth mom and to bring him home and another 3-4? months for the adoption to finalize. I get you're excited, but the process can be long and emotional. Good luck, though! I hope a baby is coming to you soon.

I think it would be fine getting a pair of ears that says Baby Lastname and a picture with it for you guys to keep as a memento of the beginning of your journey.

 

[disneyduonj]

Adopted here also. Long process, best is to just have a few people , or even just one person, to discuss it with and share your excitement. .don't worry everyone will be so super excited for you when the time is right to tell everyone!

 

[disneyduonj]

Also adoption forums and Facebook groups are a great place to get all the details and excitement out while preserving your privacy

 

[DisneyOma]

I'd wait. What if the home study doesn't work? Can you handle the millions of "how's the adoption coming along?" questions?

 

[adisneyaunt]

OP... Here's to a Quick n Uneventful/easier process. So exciting! Pixie dust and best wishes ur way, for both!
I hope you ll come back here to Update us all!

 

[CurtisB]

OP... Here's to a Quick n Uneventful/easier process. So exciting! Pixie dust and best wishes ur way, for both!
I hope you ll come back here to Update us all!

Thank you!!
I've gotten some great advice from everyone. Thanks all for being so positive and supportive. No comes the hard part, the waiting! Fortunately we have our WDW/cruise trip next month to distract us a little

 

[NJlauren]

I am not an adoptive parent, but my best friend is going through the process now. After they were approved they made an announcement, and basically said they were approved and now are waiting to be matched (a little more to it, but that was the idea). I think for them they wanted people to know, people kept asking when they would get pregnant, they have tried for years plus ivf, and now people know this is their path.

I'm not saying you have to make the announcement, but if it feels right for you and what you want to do, I think you should go for it.

You could make a sign, or do a video or whatever feels right for you. Good luck in the process and have an amazing trip!

Eta: they got amazing feedback, after there announcement.

 

[DopeyDame]

CONGRATULATIONS! You're now an expectant parent

Both of my kids were adopted, and I remember how very exciting it was once we finally finally finally got started with the homestudy.
That said, I do agree with several other PPs that you want to keep your circle relatively small right now. The people that you rely on in your worst moments - those are the people who should know right now. Everyone else can wait.
For the small circle of people you do want to tell, an announcement from WDW could be super fun. Sadly I'm about the least creative person around, so I don't have any awesome ideas. We happened to have a trip planned to WDW with my sisters and parents a week after we got our referral. My sisters bought a cute baby outfit from WDW that I treasure.