Adoption Scrapbooking Ideas

Adoption scrapbooks can help a child better understand his or her life story, both before and after the adoption. Adoption scrapbooks can share the child's birth history, the story of the adoption and include photos and family histories of both the birth parents and the forever family.

  1. Ideas for All Families

    • Include pictures from the adoption day. On the day you finalize the adoption, ask the court if photos are permitted; if they are, get pictures with the judge and in the courtroom where you first became a legal family. If you adopted your child from foster care, you also might want to include pictures of the child's foster parents and siblings and the homes where they lived before joining your family.

      Dedicate a section of the scrapbook to the story of the first meeting. Include when it happened, where it took place, how the child reacted and what activities you and your child did your first day together. Write about the child's first day at home, including specific details such as what you had for your first dinner together and the names of visitors who came to greet your child.

    International Adoptions

    • If you adopted your child internationally, consider decorating the adoption scrapbook with pictures and themes that reflect your child's birth culture. Include information on the child's native country, a map of the place where the child was born and pictures you took while you were in that country preparing for the adoption. If you have them, include your family's airline ticket stubs or other mementos from your trip.

    Open Adoptions

    • If you have an open adoption, designate a special section for pictures of the child's birth family. This section can include a family tree and interesting facts about the child's birth parents and siblings, such as their favorite foods, music, holidays and hobbies. If you are in close contact with the birth family, they might be interested in making their own scrapbook page for your child where they can share stories, family history and their versions of the adoption story.

      If the birth family has written letters to the child, paste them into the scrapbook. Also consider taking pictures of gifts that the birth family gives the child and including them on the pages where you describe your forever family's holiday celebrations.

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