Monday, September 22, 2008

Hey Ladies, There is an article about our blog showers on Laura Christianson's award winning blog 'Exploring Adoption'!

Hi there everyone. The post below is appearing on Laura Christianson's Award Winning Blog 'Exploring Adoption'. It is about the baby showers that we throw for one another in our blogging community. If you would like to go by her blog and leave a comment about our showers, that would be wonderful. Link: Exploring Adoption


How to Throw an Online Adoption Shower
I remember the day I showed up at my women’s Bible study group with my newborn son in tow. Most of the women in the group hadn’t even known I was expecting. With no evidence of a physical pregnancy to remind them that I was expecting, they either forgot or ignored the fact.
The “pregnancy” of most pre-adoptive parents goes largely unnoticed and unacknowledged. Friends and family who make a huge deal out of the birth of a baby say, “ho hum” when a child is adopted.


I believe that loved-ones should offer to throw a shower for any new child who joins a family, whether through birth or adoption (and no matter what the child’s age). So when Kimberley, author of The Seventh Diamond blog, told me about the online baby showers she and her blog readers throw for one another, I was intrigued.

Here’s how her online showers work:

I have two girlfriends who design blogs and when I host a shower, they make sidebar links to go on people’s blogs to advertise the shower and get the word out.

I have a Saturday Morning Chat Group on my blog, where adoptive moms talk about adoption trends, families who are in China, families who need help fundraising and our personal lives. I usually announce the showers at the chat group and get the sidebar graphic out to all of the ladies so they can put them on their blogs.

Before you know it, the sidebar graphics are on blogs all over, posting the family the shower is for and the date and linking people back to my blog so they know where the shower is.
My girlfriends design special headers for each shower so I can decorate my blog on shower day.

I get a list of wanted items from the parents and ladies come by the blog on the shower day.
We all talk to each other in the comments and people rsvp through comments to get the gift list and to win shower prizes.

It has been a fun way to celebrate with the families and also a good way to keep the morale up for the waiting women. It does everyone's heart good to see a child coming home and a family’s dream coming true.

18 comments:

Christy said...

That is so cool. What a neat article!! I think what you do is amazing and such an wonderful thing for the adoption community!!!

Christy :)

Elisa...life as we know it. said...

How great to have an article done about you!

jennifer said...

That is so awesome!! We can't wait to be able to have a shower for your little one!!

I'm heading that way to tell them how awesome you are!!

Unknown said...

What you do is awesome and I hope to participate in the next one

kerri said...

Terrific, great article.
I am always so happy and proud to see you being recognized for your amazing hard work and efforts.

Anonymous said...

What a fun, creative idea!

Paula said...

I'm happy to see that the blog showers are getting exposure. That is SO true about adoptive parents not getting the same fanfare as bio parents when a child comes into thier family.

Truly Blessed said...

How cool -- you're famous!

What a wonderful thing you do for our community!

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

Wow! Putting the word out--getting published---very cool. Hooray! I am always amazed by what you accomplish, my friend. More power to you! My prayers are with you.

a Tonggu Momma said...

This is very, very cool!!!! Congrats for getting the word out about such a wonderful idea.

A Mom- In-W8ing said...

Hey girl you are famous!! I always new you were a super star!!! Glad you are getting recognition for some of the wonderful things you do! I can’t wait until the shower is being thrown in your honour! Soon my friend, soon…

Smiles! :o)
Nikki

LaLa said...

You are PUBLISHED!!! You are such a sweetie and a gift to the whole community. We all will be showering you when your little one comes home : )

Keisha said...

How neat Girlfriend! You are a sweetie!
Keisha

Leigh Ann said...

That is awesome and speaks wonders about your committment to adoption!

I love the AH quote of the week and am going to try and frame one up for my fourteen y/o's room - which is all Audrey Hepburn...

Have a great week!

Anonymous said...

We don't have showers here in England. I think it is such a nice tradition!

Ashley said...

love the fall look ... it gives me hope for what's to come (in about 2 months) :)

Nancy said...

These showers have difinately been some of the best parties I have never attended. They are supportive, full of love, and a blessing to all of us waiting.

Roy and Lori said...

It's great to have someone
like you in our adoption
community. You're a true
DIAMOND......