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Scrapbook Idea and Expectant Parents

Art TeacherArt Teacher
in Adoption

My agency does not use a scrapbook-style profile for the expectant parents to choose an adoptive couple.  They use a printed "folder" that has 5 photos and some of our writing in it (such as "Our Neighborhood,"  "About Us," etc. )  5 photos isn't really very much when you're trying to show what your life is like.

I was thinking of putting together a scrapbook of pictures about our family and our home.  I know it might be a while before we are matched (but I'm trying to think positively!)  But I was thinking that maybe it would be nice to take pictures with us when we first meet the expectant parents.  I figure it might be kind of hard the first time we all meet, so maybe it would break the ice to have pictures to look at.

What do you all think? 
Thanks!

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Re: Scrapbook Idea and Expectant Parents

  • MyColonyNJMyColonyNJ

    I think it is a great idea - like you said, it might break the ice at the meeting.  Plus, I think it is easier to talk about things in front of you (pictures, etc) then to try to come up with things to talk about.

    Like, Oh, here is where we went pumpkin picking, we can't wait to have a little one to take trick or treating. or,

    Honey, you remember this picture (exp parent), this pic is so funny, because his family was making funny faces at us when it was taken.

    Things like that make you seem like real people - not just some posed christmas card family.

    But, I would check with your agency to see if it is allowed.

    Good Luck

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  • silliestbunnysilliestbunny member

    Great idea!

    While it sounds fabulous to have tons of pictures to show, I am finding it hard to find the right pictures.  For example:  You want to seem real and not pretentious.  You want to show you can care for a child w/o looking posed w/every kid on  your block. 

    It's so easy to over analyze it all, right?!

    image Best friends and sisters... 24 months and 16 months
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  • Sunny1sSunny1s

    I also really like that idea!  Pictures are a great way to break the ice and find topics of conversation.

    Thanks for sharing! 

     

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  • Art TeacherArt Teacher

    Thanks, everyone.  When we went in for our initial meeting with the director for Domestic Adoption, she told us that we wouldn't be using a regular scrapbook.  She mentioned that we might want to keep it in mind as something we could put together while we were waiting (for the birthmother.) 

     I guess I just wondered if other people had done this and how the birthparents reacted.  I would think it would help with starting conversations. 

     Thanks for all of your input!

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  • speak-ezspeak-ez

    Hi,

    Our agency does the profile in the same way with four pages in a booklet style. However, we can set it up however we want with pics and text so we do have about 15 pics on there.

    I have heard women say that they brought more pics to show an exp mom at the first meeting so we will do that. We're just going to take some of our other fave pics in an envelope. If you like to scrapbook I'd totally do that though. It will show her pics and one of your hobbies  :-)

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  • Art TeacherArt Teacher

    I talked to our caseworker tonight about the scrapbook idea.  She loved it!  She said that when you are linked with a birthmom they always ask you to bring pictures.  She really liked the idea of having a scrapbook ready to go. 

     Thanks for all of your help!

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