I have a couple of “deep thinking” type articles related to transracial adoption that I want to tackle, but since I got a “request”, (and it’s on a topic that is a lot more fun to write about) I decided to write about this today. For those of you on Belane overload, I apologize.

Here is the “request"(thanks Jen!)

Here's a post idea for you (and it's Belane related): How do you envision your first few days home with her? Will you schedule doctor appointments and such or will you simply stay at home with her? Do you have things you will do with her to introduce her to the other kids? You get the idea!

One of my dear friends who has adopted even more kids than we have, has affectionately named those first few days/weeks home with your new child as your “babymoon”. I love that! It is a very special time for a family and should be treated as such.

I think it is important those first few days and weeks to “cocoon” your family as much as possible. I know that Belane is going to be overwhelmed, confused and going through huge changes and adjustments, so when she first comes home our priority is going to be to help her get to know everybody, start that early bonding and help her feel at home in her new home.

I have cleared our schedule as much as is possible, so we can be together and not have to be doing lots of running around. We’ll be having lots of family time…for Belane’s benefit, but also for our other children who we will be away from for 5-6 days. Everyone will need to “settle back in” at home and everyone will want lots of attention. That will be the priority. We’ll play games, snuggle up together on the floor and watch movies, go for walks, play out in the yard…do fun things together.

We will keep visitors to a minimum to help her “learn” who her family is and to help her bond with us first, and we will avoid going out much to avoid overwhelming and oversitmulating her.

I am normally already a pretty organized person, and during her “early days” we will definitely be even more conscious of keeping meals, naps and bed time on a pretty strict schedule. As I’ve written about before, structure, routine and predictability really helps newly adopted kids to feel safe and secure.

I will spend as little time as possible on the phone and computer. I won't be obsessive about keeping the house clean. The laundry will probably back up some (that does not take long!) We’ll likely eat out more than usual… and I am sure there will be days where I miss a shower! :)

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