AboutJohn Gordon Expertise Stuck for ideas? I can help with ideas on theming, entertainment and anything creative. I specialise in the unusual and have created party experiences for small gatherings right up to large international corporations. I have a great original idea that is totally flexible and personalises the party in a way that touches people.
Experience I have been involved with Corporate and Private Events for many years. I both organise and provide entertainment at a wide range from house parties, anniversaries, celebrations, fun days, conferences, seminars, workshops and street parties.
Expert: John Gordon Date: 7/21/2008 Subject: Adoption
Question My husband and I are adopting our 12 year old niece. She came to live with us about 5 years years ago when DHS removed her from her mother/my sister. She lived with us through the foster care system and has now asked us to adopt her. My husband and I moved our wedding up several months when this all happened and do not have any other children yet. This is a big milestone in all our lives and we have had several people suggest having a party to celebrate. On one hand I think this is a great idea and will help our child realize how special we think this is and that we think adopting her is something worth celebrating. On the other hand this is a bittersweet time for many people in my family. While this is good for the child this whole situation has been very hard on my family. I think a party would be a wonderful way to show that she is a part of my husbands family now too. She is taking his last name. Do you have any opinion on whether this party is appropriate and if so any suggestions to make it wonderful. I thought about showing a slide show with pictures of her growing up, several are taken with me since her and I have always been close and later when I met my husband he was included. The 3 of us have a song together "You'll be in my heart" from the movie Tarzan. I thought we would have that playing during the slide show. I also thought about reading a note to her. We also got her a ring and plan to give that to her at the party or at the court house. Any suggestions are very appreciated.
Answer Shawna
What a wonderful story.
I understand the importance of such an occasion and think your plan sounds great. I don't have much to add ...except that of course it is appropriate. It's important to create an 'event' on that day other than some legal matter at a court house.
I'd wait to give the ring until later too. There will be enough happening there for the moment to be significant .. the 'sealing' and celebrations should take place at home, you home, your niece's home, the family home.
The only other thing I can add is that there may be people who cannot be present. perhaps yo0u could collect a greeting from every, present and absent and include these in the slide show. If you are doing this on Powerpoint or similar it is so easy to insert a text slide, perhaps with a picture of the sender. Something short between the other pictures.
If you know how (or someone does) you could put the soundtrack on too and time the slide changes. Maybe someone could send an audio greeting ...easily recorded down a phone line and embedded into the slide show.
If you put your own at the end plus a date it can all be burnt onto a CD and will be a wonderful keepsake.
You say DHS ... are you in the UK? I am in Coventry... most who write here are in the USA.
I hope this day is as wonderful as it sounds and my best wishes for everyone and your future happiness.
