While hitting the stores over these past few days, I have been consistently reminded that the American marketplace is not quite yet an adoption-friendly realm.
Consider this: I was browsing the greeting card aisles looking for cards that would welcome three adopted children I know into their new families. Two of the kids are around the 1 year-old stage and one is approaching 2 years old. All of the cards I found made reference to "babies" and "bundles of joy" and came illustrated with bottles, prams, and booties - you know, newborn stuff.
On my quest for the right formula for William, I have begun registering on formula company websites in order to get substantial coupons to use towards their products. This morning, on the Carnation/Nestle Good Start website, I was asked all sorts of questions such as whether I planned to work outside of the home during my baby's first year to the name of the local hospital in which he was born.
While browsing online for photo announcement cards with which to herald William's adoption, I hit a similar roadblock. My usual photo product standby website, kodakgallery.com turned up zilch, though there were some blank card options that were tweakable.
Just as I was beginning to despair of finding adoption-sensitive retailers, the tide began to turn. Tonight, as I was filling out the Similac website's questionnaire, I noticed a field in which parents could indicate that their child is adopted. In addition, I was pleasantly surprised to learn from a friend that Babies 'R Us has now added an option to their registries that asks if the child is adopted. And of course, there are the wonderfully gifted adoptive parents, such as Sarah W. and others who harness their talents to create products that meet the special needs of adoptive families.
So, I suppose the American marketplace is slowly creeping towards becoming adoption-friendly. Perhaps in a generation from now, it will be commonplace for companies to offer adoption options in their products and services where necessary and appropriate. With the adoptive population in America generally surging forward, they would be wise to do so.
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3 comments:
After waiting patiently for the new addition to your family, the time has finally arrived. Your adopted baby is in your arms, and you want to share the good news with all the people who have supported and loved you throughout the adoption process. An adoption announcement celebrates a new beginning. It commemorates the birth of a child and the creation of a family and a dream come true for two people who have anticipated this proud moment for years.
To announce the birth of your adopted baby or older child and share the joy of this special moment, the right adoption announcements, http://www.cards-411.com/Adoption_Announcements/browse-16.htm, http://www.cards-411.com/Adoption_Baby_Shower_Invitations/browse-17.htm, or http://www.cardsshoppe.com/Adoption_Announcements/Adoption_Announcements-29-1.htm, are very important. You want more than just an informative statement to friends and family about your baby's vital statistics and date of birth. Adoption announcements are a declaration of your promise to a lifetime commitment to love, nurture, guide, and protect your adopted baby or child.
Twins Adoption Announcements, http://www.birth-cards.com/Adoption_Announcements_Cards/ProductsList-16-1.htm are special, just like the baby or child it announces. Although you can include any statement or information you choose, here are a few helpful guidelines:
a. Full Name of Baby or Child
b. Date of Birth
c. Date of Adoption, if different than the date of birth
d. Place of birth; include the country of birth, if different than your own
e. Length and weight of baby at birth
f. Name of Adoptive parent
g. Personal message (optional)
Every baby is an original, so why not use only original, unique adoption announcements to announce your new baby or child?
Personalized announcements for new baby, birth, pregnancy, adoptions, twins, triplets, multiples, holidays, Christmas, thank you cards and more are available from http://www.Birth-Cards.com, http://www.CardsShoppe.com and http://www.Cards-411.com.
I totally agree with you about the adoption options. Even when registering for baby items at Target and Wal-Mart there is no option to really give your baby's true birthdate. Babies R Us seems to be more sensitive to that fact.
Hey,
Been following your blog as someone who has adopted from China and am about done with the home study for a Taiwan adoption of a little boy.
www.purplestork.com has FANTASTIC adoption announcements. We did our daughter's there- 17 months when we got home. I think you'll be beyond happy with the selection and you WON'T find better customer service!
Thanks for sharing your story! Excited to see you travel!
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