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Adoption
CaptainSerious
member
What do I need for a 7 year-old?
CaptainSerious
member
in Adoption
I'm trying to get a list together of what we'll need for M. I'm thinking along the lines of items necessary for his basic care here (e.g., tooth brush, bed, clothes, etc.).
Can any of you help me out? Is there a list that foster parents might have? Everytime I start to think about what we need, I get overwhelmed and muddled down trying to figure out what's necessary right away versus later.
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Re: What do I need for a 7 year-old?
Clothing (I would start with a smallish stash and then get more once he's home and you know his size, likes, etc. more specifically).
mattress liner (in case he's a bed wetter)
step stool (depending on height) for sinks, etc.
Toys
Carseat (depending on state law--by law our son can ride without a car seat, but we still use one).
Toothbrush, shampoo, soap, floss
Sippy (or bottle or sports bottle)--depending on your son's development and background, you may actually want to bottle feed him when he first comes home. All the kids from our kids' O loved having sippies/water bottles/etc.
Door alarms--do you need to alarm any doors for safety?
Aww I'm sorry you are overwhelmed, I'm sure excited as well!
Although I have not adopted yet I would think you should be good with the basics. (A bed, toiletries, clothes, etc) and maybe a special something just for him to make the transition easier, like a toy or stuffy?
Also, I'm not sure on US laws and his weight, but will he need a booster seat?
Everything else I would think it would be fun to take him and let him choose. Like school supplies, toys, etc. (Maybe even bedding and room decor) This way he can feel like he was involved.
Just my opinions, hope that helps!
"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming..."
Thanks! It's reassuring to know that many of the things I've been coming up with can wait.
On the door alarms I meant if there were any safety issues you were concerned about. I put them on all our exterior doors when the kids first came home b/c I was afraid of them leaving the house and wandering, which never happened. But you might also use them on any rooms with added dangers, i.e. if you have dangerous tools in your garage or something.
I'm a lurker on this board, but I have several nieces and nephews in that age range, so I thought I would recommend some toys. Some toys/games I think he may like are legos (which are good for a broad range of ages) and craft supplies like crayons, coloring books or pads of paper, stickers, etc. Given that he'll be experiencing a huge change, it may be nice for him to have an outlet for his emotions, so drawing or building things may help him.
Good luck and congrats!
As far as toys for a 7-year-old boy... Do you know whether he has any favorite toys at the orphanage or any special interests? Building things, superheroes, sports, etc.? (My 7-year-old nephew loves Legos and Batman.)
ETA: I agree with heather above that crayons and a few coloring books are probably a good choice too.
Heather's ideas ar right on target. He will have something to do until you get a chance to see what he likes. I think a soccer ball might also be a good bet. It seems like all the older "international" kids I know play soccer and all the mission teams visiting ophanages seem to take them because they are very popular.
I would avoid any toys that require reading or facility with language, obviously, until he learns English. I would also avoid too many electronic toys since they may be overwhelming at first and you want him to tune into you and your DH, not a video game.
Congrats!
PAL/PGAL Welcome
Ditto the previous posters.
Definitely get the bed liner, I would just get plain bedding and let him pick out his own. We did this with Lil J (3 yrs old) and he seems to get a kick out of it.
Toys - I would do the basics. Legos, matchbox cars, coloring books, puzzles, maybe some bubbles, sand toys. At 7, he probably likes action figures. Maybe a small bike and helmet. Or even a skooter - I have one if you want it. I would also get some balls, maybe a soccer ball and a baseball
Try to hit up garage sales or consignment shops for the toys, this way you are not spending lots on the toys.
I think you are in NJ? In NJ the law is 8 yrs old or 80 pounds for a "car seat" Carseat, meaning upto and including a booster seat.
But, at 7 - I am sure he would be fine in a booster. You can get them for cheap in Babies R Us or in Walmart/Target.
I would make sure he has all of his own "personal items" Like toothbush, comb, shampoo, etc. this way - automatically, he feels like something belongs to just him.
Clothes - again, just go with the basics. A few PJs, and since summer is coming, some basic tees and shorts. Maybe stick to elastic shorts, since you won't know his exact size. Again, Walmart and Target would be good for inexpensive essestials.
Some kid snacks. Depending on your eating habits of course. But, thngs like pretzles, goldfish crackers, animal crackers, granola bars, etc - I would not load up on junk food.
Also, maybe some icepops.
I have have a friend that did fost/adopt of an older child. Within in the first few days, she gave her a journal. Of course she did not HAVE to write in it, but gave her the option. Of course, she was a girl - but could work for a boy as well.
I will add to this if I think of anything else
So excited for you
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Um, yeah - I was wondering what the legislation was all about LOL
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LOL. I kept thinking--"now what did spell check correct there? "
I kept wondering if that was some brand common in South America.
Ditto legos. What about cars, lots of outside type games/toys (soccer ball, baseball/bat, lacrosse stick, basketball, etc.). Can you find some books about Peru? Also - board games, puzzles, movies, etc.
Medical Supplies. I posted on my local board about what I needed to get and there was lots of feedback around this. Anti-itch cream, anti-fungal cream, A/D meds, kids tylenol, anti-nausea meds, vitamins, possibly lice shampoo?, extra bandaids, neosporin, sunscreen, etc. Also, some hats, backpack, shampoo, etc.
I feel for you! Our Little Guy will be just over 3 when we hopefully bring him home, and it is causing me serious anxiety on what to get him! However, I think we're almost there! We hit the jackpot at an awesome thrift store here - clothes with tags still on them and many in great shape! So, I highly recommend searching the thrift stores! I forget - are you picking him up there, or is he being escorted here? Either way, very exciting!!!
I love the idea of a soccer ball. Soccer is a huge international sport and especially in South America. I asked my friend who is from Peru and she said baseball is not a big sport there..so M may not know what a baseball and bat are--but she also said volleyball is really big there. I help out with a gym class full of first and second graders and the things I have seen them be interested in..
Music--They all love music. Some of the boys like dinosaurs or monsters, They like building things..they love they jungle gym outside..so honestly--free play.
I know this might seem off the wall... but in light of the horror I am feeling right now over the fact that Sandra Bullock, who is not even Jewish- just had a bris for a baby whose adoption is not even finalized...
I thought I'd mention that Peru is not a circumcising nation. If you are not familiar with how to care for an intact child, you may be feeling anxious or confused about that. You need to be aware that many doctors in the US are not properly schooled on how to manage the care of a normal male body and you should be armed in advance with information. This is a great article that covers some of the most common false information that parents may encounter. (to be clear- problems aren't common at all- just the misinformation about how to deal with them!) The MDC forum also has a great section where you can post questions if you ever have a concern.
https://www.mothering.com/health/protect-your-uncircumcised-son-expert-medical-advice-parents
Very good point!
I thought I would also point out this link to the CDC's fact sheet on circumcision.
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/circumcision.htm
If you are worried about clothing size issues, buy a size of jeans that you think are close and then make sure that you buy a belt or the adjustable waist.
When we looked into doing Russian adoption, we were told to buy a Russian lullaby c.d. If you could find one and a c.d. player might be a nice touch. Even though he's a little old for lullaby, something that could calm him, couldn't hurt. P.S. ITunes has many cultural c.d.'s, maybe you could check them out.
As for toys, I agree with previous posters. Definitely paper, coloring books and crayons. I run a daycare and have a few this age. They are very active so I highly recommend a soccer ball. Not sure about your yard, but a swingset (may not be at the top of your list) but if I were a kid I would looove to come home to a swingset. We just bought one at Wal-mart and it was around $250. That's all I can think of until you get to know his interests more.
how about a small personal flashlight or night light?
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