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How to Host a Baby Shower for Adoptive Parents

According to Adoption Statistics of 2013, 15 percent of the adoptions in the United States were of children in the age range of newborns to 4 years old. For adoptive parents, the process of adoption can be both exciting and stressful, plagued with lots of waiting and oftentimes unanswered questions. A great way for family and friends to assist soon-to-be adoptive parents is to host a baby shower and provide the support and the essentials they’ll need to care for their new child.

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Invitations

Within the shower invitation, express the anticipation and excitement of the new adoptive parents. Be forthcoming about the adoption, and if appropriate, share the age of the child so that all invitees are aware. Encourage the parents to register for the items they’ll need for their new addition to the family. Although not all adoptees are newborns, a new family will need toys, bedding, furniture and more to make sure their child is well cared for. Include the store name on the invitation where invitees can access the soon-to-be parents’ registry. Additionally, include details such as attire, location, RSVP information and any special suggestions such as bringing a book for the child.

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Favors

Include a picture of the child in a small frame, and offer one to each guest as a thank you parting gift. It is simple but memorable and the guests will appreciate the keepsake. You can also include traditional items like soaps, candies or candles, featuring the child’s name. For example, if the parents have adopted a baby boy, consider the traditional blue items that signal a baby boy has arrived. Partypail.com also offers the option to customize select favors so that the host can add the baby’s name or the shower date.

Games & Entertainment

Since many traditional baby shower games revolve around the expectant mom’s baby bump, the entertainment at an adoptive parent’s shower will differ. Instead, center games around the child such as “Guess His Birthday.” Babycenter.com suggests shower games like a timed diaper-changing race, baby food tasting, and bottle chugging.

The party’s entertainment should be tailored around the age of the child. If the child is old enough to participate, invite other moms with children. If the new addition to the family is child age, consider renting a bounce house and hiring a face painter.

Tradition suggests that a shower should not be hosted by any relative of an adoptive parent. Rather, shower etiquette recommends that friends should host. Many hostesses prefer to recruit co-hostesses and delegate out tasks such as purchase, address and send invitations, prepare food and bake, decorate, coordinate games and activities, and clean up after the party. Hostess and co-hostess names should all be included on the invitation.