How to Scrapbook Your Child's
Adoption
by Lisa Copen
 Scrapbooking
an adoption story is a fun way to put your child's story
down on paper for him or her to be able to look at photos
and read in years to come. Too often, however, our best
of intentions end up being a huge box of memorabilia in
the closet, waiting until a chunk of time comes when we
can do all the keepsakes justice by putting together the
perfect album.
Don't
postpone your child's adoption scrapbook any longer. It's
important that they get to flip through this book and share
in the photos long before they go off to the university.
Here
are a few ideas to guide you in scrapbooking your child's
adoption keepsake book (or a "lifebook" as some
call it):
[1]
Write everything down. As a new parent it's easy to believe
you will remember every special moment, but in no time you'll
be making loads of memories and some of your favorites will
fade.
[2]
Share what you know that is appropriate for little ears.
Maybe you were able to spend time with your child's birth
mother, or maybe you don't have any information about her
at all. Share what you know, but make sure that it is some
something you will feel reading to your 5-year-old. If your
child's birth mom has 6 children and kept the rest of them,
or your child was the result of an abusive environment,
don't write this down!
[3]
Arrange the photos you want to use in your album. You don't
want to use every phot you own, but rather just choose the
ones that are the most precious for this particular album.
Make sure everything is in order if you are you arranging
the book chronologically
[4]
Consider what size of album to you'd prefer. They are typically
8" x 8", 12" x 12" or 8.5" x 11".
The 8" x 8" albums are a good size for little
hands to hold and flip through.
[5]
Try to find whatever supplies you'd like to use. I had a
hard time being able to find anything other than a couple
of stickers that mentioned adoption. Frustrated with this,
I designed my own 8" x 8" overlay transparencies.
Overlays are great because they make your book look like
it was done by a professional, they is no glue or tape needed
and anyone can use them (no skill required)
[6]
Keep it easy. Don't try to put every thought you have in
the book. You want to be able to share it with your child
so consider her attention span too. You can always add more
pages later and your child may ask questions while reading
it that you want to answer in the book. You may also think
of other things that could be represented. For example,
if you adopted your child from a foreign country, you may
see the value in adding a page about that country.
[7]
Use poems or quotes to fill in pages. If you lack information
or are just feeling overwhelmed by writing your thoughts
down, use a few adoption quotes. Just be sure to not rely
on them completely. Poetry is nice, but your own thoughts
will mean the most to your child.
[8]
Use child-friendly language. For example, don't ever write,
"Your birth mom loved you so much that she gave you
away." This could scare your child into believing that
pretty soon you will love him too much and give you away
too. Keep the wording simple: "Miss Clara wanted you
to have both a mommy and a daddy and she knew that we were
really excited to be your parents."
Too
often we get caught up in creating a masterpiece of a baby
album that will include every bath, haircut, smile and tear.
Instead, focus on just the adoption story for this small
book and put a lot of the baby or family pages in other
books. The sooner it's ready for your child, the more time
of their childhood they will reflect on it.
The
Adoption Scrapbook Album is a quick, easy way
to create a personalized lifebook. Use transparency overlays
and friends will admire--even if you aren't crafty. Free
poems and quotes from Lisa Copen at Scrapbook
My Adoption
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