Throwing a baby shower for a new mother who is adopting an infant should be done with care and sensitivity, and should keep the focus of the shower (along with the games and activities that you choose) on the expected arrival of the new baby rather than on the adoption itself.
Here are some ideas for planning baby shower games that celebrate the joy of a new motherhood while steering away from potentially uncomfortable moments for the new mom and her guests. Does this Spark an idea?
Features
The best baby shower games are those that engage guests and encourage everyone to get involved. Choosing games that require limited materials and a short amount of preparation time makes the hosts job easier as well as less time-consuming. Selecting two or three games that will appeal to a variety of guests, helps to ensure that there is enough time for other activities, such as eating, opening gifts, cutting the cake and just visiting with the new mom to be.
Time Frame
The best adoption baby shower games are those that take between 10 and 15 minutes to carry out. Longer games have the potential to lose the interest of participants, while shorter games generally don't give guests enough time to really become engaged.
Before choosing games for the shower, it's a good idea to practice the games you have in mind with a few friends or family members. Set a timer to help you determine how much time to allow for each game. Practicing games in this way will also give you the chance to work out any unforeseen difficulties ahead of time.
Types
There are two basic types of baby shower games to consider, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.
Active games will involve guests getting up and moving around the room. These types of games can really liven up the party. On the other hand, if there are older people, or people with physical disabilities present, these games could prove difficult for them.
Non-active games usually involve guests making lists or trying to guess what the new mom is thinking. These games can be fun, but younger guests may have more difficulty catching on.
Function
Here are 3 baby shower games that are sure to be a hit at an adoption baby shower.
Pin the Diaper on the Baby--Played like "pin the tail on the donkey," this active game brings guests to the front of the room, one at a time. You will need a large picture or poster of the baby, bottom side up (hand drawn is fine), and a disposable diaper. Guests attempt to tape the diaper (using the self stick tab on the diaper) to the baby's bottom while blindfolded.
Baby Names Game--This non active game invites guests to write a name for each letter in the expectant parent's name. You will need pencils and paper (one for each person). Have guests write the first names of the expectant parents (going in an up and down direction) on the left side of the paper. For each letter of the father's name, guests must think of an idea for a baby boy's name ("B is for Billy" or "O is for Oliver," for example). For the mother's name, guests will think of a name for a baby girl.
What Did the New Mom Have to Say? This non-active game asks a serious of questions about new parenthood. Guests try to guess how the mother will answer each of these questions. You will need a pencil or pen and piece of paper for each person. Before the shower, ask the mother to be the following questions (or you can think of a your own, if you prefer):
1) What are you looking forward to the most?
2) What is the hardest thing about raising a baby?
3) What is the father looking forward to the most?
4) Will dad change diapers too?
5) What color is the nursery?
6) Who will get up in the middle of the night, mom, dad or both?
7) Which age will be harder,18 days,18 months or 18 years?
8) Will having a baby change your sex life?
9) How many children do you want?
10) How many children does dad want?
Compare the guests' answers with the new mother's. Award a prize to the person who gets the most answers correct.
Considerations
Undoubtedly, you want the baby shower to be a fun and happy time for the mom to be as well as all of the guests. You can help avoid potentially uncomfortable moments by following these simple tips:
1) Steer away from games that focus on pregnancy.
2) Keep the topics of the games fun and light.
3) Keep in mind that many adoptive parents already know the sex of the child, so don't plan games that involve predicting the sex of the baby.
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