Adoption is an highly emotional time both for the parents and the child. Settling in to a new environment and family unit can take a lot of adjustment. Many adopted children have not had an easy life, and they want to feel loved, and feel they belong. In my opinion as someone who has experienced this, one of the most important factors is to help your child feel accepted as part of the family. Adopted children need a sense safety, love and permanence .
By having a ceremony to celebrate the adoption the child, family members and friends can come together to acknowledge this milestone. Depending on the age of the child their perception and understanding of the ceremony will be different. However, if they are old enough to understand, explaining to them that this event is to welcome them into the family. By inviting family and friends to witness this significant event only makes it more special and fun.
As a celebrant, when I perform an adoption ceremony for a family I like to get to know the family and the child. Once I have met them (either in person or on Zoom) I will write a tailor made ceremony for them. It will be unique and not something I pulled out of another ceremony.
Do I have to have a religious ceremony ? NO
Your ceremony will be however you want it, whether you have a faith or no faith. If you have a religious belief whatever it is, this is something that can be incorporated with prayers or readings.
An adoption ceremony is a celebration of a child or children joining a family. It is a welcome of sorts. The chance for a family to acknowledge the gift of love and acknowledge what a child brings to a family. An opportunity for new memories to be made and to share everybody’s hopes and dreams of the future.
Supporting adults and other family members can make pledges to the child, and to the family. Families can pledge to each other all their love and happiness, along with their wishes as part of the ceremony.
Unique certificates can be signed and even stamped with colourful fingerprints – the choice is yours because it’s your day. Certificates can be formal or fun.
Depending on the number of family members and children involved I will explain other ‘Special elements’ (Some are listed below). By enabling us to involve other children, grandparents and friends everyone feels special and involved. I believe this is really important because this is about family and unity. For me, adoption ceremonies should be inclusive, meaningful, and fun – it is a day to celebrate and create memories.
Special Elements
Ceremony certificate
Does everyone have the same certificate ? NO
Cyprus Celebrant Adoption ceremony certificates are unique. Every certificate is designed especially for you and will have elements which reflect you and your heritage. These are a beautiful and unique memento for your family and perfect for framing.
Hand fasting
Hand fasting is a popular and inclusive element which is a custom and dates back to ancient times. A beautiful ceremony where I tie hands together with ribbons, cord, lace, leather or braid, in the shape of the infinity symbol and that is where we get the term “Tying the knot”. By doing this we symbolise the bringing together of two or more hearts in unity.
This element works very well in including other children and grandparents. The cord once tied can be kept or framed. Many families I know have framed them and put them in the child’s bedroom. It is a constant reminder that they are united as a family. It is useful to remind the child of the day they were adopted into the family. The hand fasting cord gives you a way of explaining the ceremony and the significance of the day.
Unity sand
A Unity Sand Special Element is a ceremony which symbolises the joining of two or more people. I offer this element because Special Elements create memories and with this element you can include several people, it is adaptable and fun. I use this element with baby naming and adoption ceremonies because it is inclusive. This creates a bond as a family that is impossible to separate.
Unity candle
The unity candle is similar to the unity sand ceremony, in that you can include as many people as you want to. Each person lights their candle and these are in turn used to light the family candle. That is then used to light the child’s candle. All candles will be kept for your memory box.
Wishing Tree.
Who has a wishing tree ? Anybody who has a ceremony.
A wishing tree is a beautiful visual centre piece and above all a focal point for your guests. This element engages your guests. Wishing trees are especially appropriate for naming ceremonies and adoption ceremonies. It enables all the guests to write their blessing on a tag before hanging it on the tree. You then keep these tags to share with the child to remind them of the day.
In conclusion.
If you are considering having an adoption ceremony please do contact me for a chat. I would love to help you celebrate.
Email me at rosie@cypruscelebrant.com. or click on this link for more details www.cypruscelebrant.com
I travel internationally and would be delighted to lead your ceremony, however I offer you the option of script writing your ceremony for you wherever in the world you live.
