Adoption Day (Gotcha Day)
Ranked #3,217 in Parenting & Kids, #103,134 overall
Celebrating Our Family's Adoption Days
For our family, Gotcha Day is the anniversary of the day we received physical custody of the child, the day she moved in with us. The Adoption Day celebration is on the day her adoption was finalized. For us, this day falls just about ten days after Gotcha Day, so we do not make as big a deal of that particular anniversary. Gotcha Day is the bigger deal at our house.
Photo credit
Contents at a Glance
How We Celebrate Gotcha Day
Because Gotcha Day is a celebration of our family's adoption experience, this is generally a celebration with immediate family only. It is an evening to reflect on our family history. Sometimes recalling the family history brings up a sense of loss in an adopted child. After all, they did not become available for adoption because of any joyous circumstance. This is one reason not to include friends or extended family members in this celebration.
I also give the child a gift on her Gotcha Day. This is generally something sentimental, a keepsake of some kind, rather than a toy or anything temporary. I give her a gift to treasure and keep, because I am treasuring and keeping her.
We spend some time talking about our family's adoption story. My younger daughter loves to hear her adoption story over and over, starting with the part where I was looking for her in Russia and then found out she was actually in South America, and going all the way up to the part where we are dancing together in her bedroom in Maryland. Every part is precious and I better not leave anything out.
My older daughter was not as interested in her adoption story, but she loved to watch the video we took during our adoption trip, recording when we met her at the orphanage and our first days and weeks together. Each child is different and each family is different. There are many ways to celebration Adoption Day or Gotcha Day.
Special Books to Read on Gotcha Day
Gotcha Day: A Celebration of Adoption
Gotcha Day: A Celebration of Adoption
Amazon Price: $15.78 (as of 05/27/2012)
All adopted children are sure to feel special and loved when they learn about the day they joined their families-a story parents will never tire of telling and kids will never tire of hearing. In this warm, whimsical book, kids are adopted from around the world; all children can see that there are other families just like theirs. Regardless of race or nationality, one thing is clear: love is what makes a family. Kids will love the repetition of the "gotcha" rhyme, and parents will appreciate the chance to start talking with them about their adoption and their own gotcha day.
Family Day: Celebrating Ethan's Adoption Anniversary
Family Day:: Celebrating Ethan's Adoption Anniversary
Amazon Price: $12.24 (as of 05/28/2012)
A wonderful book geared toward children adopted at older ages from the foster care system.
Welcome Home, Forever Child: A Celebration of Children Adopted as Toddlers, Preschoolers and Beyond
Welcome Home, Forever Child: A Celebration of Children Adopted as Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Beyond
Amazon Price: $11.92 (as of 05/27/2012)
An excellent choice for children who were not adopted as infants, but at an older age, whether from an orphanage or foster care.
I Wished for You: An Adoption Story
I Wished for You: an Adoption Story (Mom's Choice Award Recipient, Book of the Year Award, Creative Child Magazine) (Marianne Richmond)
Amazon Price: $6.84 (as of 05/27/2012)
A beautiful story that is vague enough to apply to many different adoption situations. Whether you adopted domestically, internationally, privately, through foster care or orphanage, an infant, toddler, preschooler or older child, this book will work for you. A wonderful story for any adoptive family!
Gotcha Day Traditions
Adoption Day Ideas
- 1Celebrate Gotcha Day with a special meal chosen by your child.
- 2Enjoy a special Adoption Day dinner at an ethnic restaurant representing your child's birth culture.
- 3Spend some time looking together at your child's Life Book, adoption photo album or video of their very first Gotcha Day.
- 4Give your child a special keepsake signifying his or her place in your heart and in your family.
Gotcha Day Gifts
Gift Ideas for Celebration Your Child's Adoption Day
8x10 ADOPTION Picture & Poetry Photo Gift Frame ~ Cream/Hunter Green Mat ~ Great Adoption Keepsake Gift for Adopting Parents
Amazon Price: $23.99 (as of 05/27/2012)
Verse Reads: Adoption ~ We have waited so long for this special day, to hug you, to kiss you to hold you and say. You're wanted and loved more than you know, a lifetime of memories as we watch you grow. You're someone to cherish, someone to love, a wonderful blessing from heaven above. © Joyce Boyce
Available in several different designs. Can be used with either a vertical or horizontal format photo.
Gold Beaded Necklace Adoption Day Gift
Add a new bead each Gotcha Day
This makes a very special keepsake that your daughter can enjoy as an adult.
Duragold 14k Yellow Gold 12mm Polished Bead Pendant Necklace, 18"
Amazon Price: $97.38 (as of 05/27/2012)
14 carat yellow gold necklace is 18 inches long.
Celebrate Your Family's Adoption Day
Tell Your Child, "We're Glad We Gotcha!"
New View Family Boxed Cartouche Collage Frame
Amazon Price: $54.76 (as of 05/27/2012)
Frame is 24 by 24 inches square. Holds 12 photographs. Verse says, "The love of a family is strong and deep, leaving us memories to treasure and keep."
A Special Warning About Adoption Day
It is a Sad Day for Some Adopted Children
It can be hard for us as parents to realize that what was a happy event for us may have been a heartwrenching trauma for our child. This was the day they left behind those they had previously loved, the home they had known, perhaps the culture of their birth. Their adoption represented the closure of the door of possibility that their birthparents would come and retrieve them.
Be prepared that a big family celebration may create even more angst in your child, who may not feel very happy about this day, and then feel pressure to act happy which will make the problem even worse. We found that acknowledging the day, but keeping things lowkey helped my daughter deal with her painful and conflicting emotions.
Comforting the Grieving Child on Gotcha Day
Adoption Day Gifts for a Heartbroken Son or Daughter
Here are some gifts that have helped our family and others.
Please Share Your Adoption Day or Gotcha Day Traditions!
You do not have to join Squidoo to leave a comment.
-
-
denisebeverly
May 14, 2012 @ 3:27 am | delete
- This would be a great way to celebrate. Enjoy your children and I know you are blessed in your life with them
-
-
-
victoriuh
Feb 22, 2012 @ 1:50 am | delete
- This is a great idea!
-
-
-
Sheila Temple
Feb 21, 2012 @ 10:06 pm | delete
- Thanks for sharing your story with us. Also, I appreciate your reference to my new book Gotcha Day: A Celebration of Adoption. It was a work of love, as the children featured found their forever families! Sheila Temple
-
-
-
veryirie
Feb 21, 2012 @ 12:02 am | delete
- I love the way you share this precious part of your life - your children; it's wonderful!
-
-
-
traveller27
Feb 20, 2012 @ 1:00 pm | delete
- Wonderful lens...thanks so much for sharing this.
-
-
-
MiddleSister
Feb 20, 2012 @ 10:34 am | delete
- This is helpful for everyone to have a better understanding of some of the emotions involved. Thank you.
-
-
-
poutine
Feb 20, 2012 @ 9:43 am | delete
- It's a beautiful moment to celebrate.
-
-
-
MonikaWeise Feb 20, 2012 @ 9:38 am | delete
- What a lovely lens. My sister-in-law adopted twin girls from China. I'll have to ask what they do for their Gotcha Day!
-
-
-
Joan4
Feb 20, 2012 @ 9:32 am | delete
- What a lovely tradition -- and great book recommendations too! Best wishes to you and your very special daughters!
-
-
-
vallain Feb 20, 2012 @ 9:32 am | delete
- We have friends who adopted an infant from a Russian orphanage almost 14 years ago. Each year they celebrate her Forever Day, which is the day she became part of their family. They usually have a cake, but as you said, keep it a family celebration.
-
by Frischy
Frischy is a writer and mom in Louisville, Kentucky.
- 134 featured lenses
- Winner of 35 trophies!
- Top lens » Tooth Fairy Ideas
Explore related pages
- Child Protective Services False Allegations Child Protective Services False Allegations
- Christening Party Christening Party
- What Is An Anti-Coloring Book? What Is An Anti-Coloring Book?
- Adoption - Life as an Adopted Child & How I found my Birth Mother Adoption - Life as an Adopted Child & How I found my Birth Mother
- I Spy Bags I Spy Bags
- Bonding With Your Blind Baby Bonding With Your Blind Baby
