What was your first Christmas after adopting like?

Jennifer L

Oh, it was a lot of fun!

My children did celebrate Christmas in their home country. They understood the concept of getting and giving Christmas presents and as they were Christian, the religious concept behind the holiday season.

But things like Christmas trees, ornaments, Christmas cookies, caroling, decorating the house (etc) was totally new. (But we did find one carol that they knew: Mary's Boy-child, which is an African song) It was a lot of fun introducing them to these traditions.

Now that this is our 3rd Christmas together, doing these holiday traditional milestone is getting that familiar "traditional" feel. It's something predictable, to look forward to, and the children have always responded to that stability. We get personalized ornaments every year and so they were able to hang their ornaments from 2007 and 2006 and talk about memories from past Christmases.

I've never got the impression that they associate the holidays with missing their first family. I tried to gently bring that up while we were decorating the tree, but neither of my children were interested in talking about it.

Fun times, though! We sang the 12 Days of Christmas (pretty loudly) while we decorated. They get the "5 gold rings" part and counting down from there, pretty well. Christmas cookies will be later in the week.

kims

Ours was very low key. My children were used to Christmas being mostly a religious celebration and we wanted to keep it that way for them.

They loved the Christmas tree, Christmas carols, and baking. They really don't play with toys much and they don't like their bedrooms all cluttered with "stuff" so we didn't go all out buying them presents. Instead they got a few things each, and Santa gave the whole family a gift certificate for a weekend away at an indoor water park since it's cold where we live. They loved that.

Mom to Foster Children

Not sure yet - hasn't happend. I am sure that he will be as excited as he is every year on Christmas day - but have in the back of his mind that this will be the first Christmas that he doesn't get to see his mommy...so, I am sure that it will be a little sad.

Just a Mom

Ours was unbelievable! We went out of town and spent the time sightseeing and just enjoying being together without any one else around.

sizesmith

My son was born in September, and I think Thanksgiving was better than Christmas in ways, because we had so much to be thankful for.

At Christmas, he was still so little, he'd watch the tree, and was big enough to make it so much fun. This year will be even better because he enjoys the decorations so much, and will know how to open presents, which is fun watching a child do.

The sad part is, I know it's hard on his first parents. I had them in my heart both last year and this year, and will continue every holiday, and every day in general.

stormwarnfm

We had a tree and got the kids bicycles and all sorts of fun toys.

Next year was a bit lower key, but we got them games for their nintendos.

This year...it's gonna be tight cause i couldn't work for 4 months...but they'll still get what they want...clothes (they're 11 and 12 now and into caring how they look).

Sofiakat

Horrible
My son was still screaming and was at his worst violence at this time and missing his mother. Our car broke down 3/4 of the way during an eight hour ride home and cost 2600 dollars to fix. My kids started to puke on boxing day and had fevers and we were stranded at my inlaws (yuk) because we could not escape without a vehicle. On top of all that everytime my son went into a screaming session my mother in law would freak out and put pressure on us to make him stop (ya like if I could have done that I wouldn't have?)
So the first christmas I seriously thought about running away into the woods and living with the little woodland creatures.
The second christmas was much much much better and now entering the third, my son is happier and we have a new car and we are NOT staying at my inlaws! YAY

sanachanthe1337

My first Christmas after being adopted was very special! I had been in foster care for two years before that, and it just felt amazing to be apart of a family!

Christmas seems bigger to me even now. To me, it's about family, love and friendship! I've really learned to appreciate it more

Wundt

We adopted two boys last year, they were 18mons and 3yrs old last Christmas, and it was great. My family always makes a big deal about Christmas, especially when there are young children in the house. This was made double because they are the first boys in our family in a generation (all their siblings and cousins are girls).

Their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all came to stay. The boys got meet all their family, help out with the baking, and decorate the tree. There are pictures of my wife literally buried under a mountain of presents for the boys from family and friends. The boys had a great time, as did everyone else.

This year we are traveling to visit family. Our older son is starting to 'get' this is a special time and is very excited. Our younger son hasn't quite got it yet (only 2), but I know he will have a great time none the less.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: