10 Great Ideas for Visiting in Open Adoption – Part Two

Ideas 10-6.

Here are five more ideas for a great visit.

5. Other Indoor Activities of Fun: bowling. (We went bowling on our first visit and boy, was it a hoot.) Shopping; you don’t have to spend money to bond over time spent in a shopping mall. Roller skating; though, I don’t know if many other areas still have a real roller skating rink. Are we old? Ideally, avoid Chuck E. Cheese and the movies; neither provide a good place to spend time together, visit and bond.

4. Attend a Religious Service Together. This should come with the preface of: only if each party is willing to do so. For those coming from vastly different religious backgrounds, this may not be a great idea. For those who do come from similar backgrounds or those who don’t mind attending another religiously affiliated service, this could be a great way to learn about the other party’s beliefs and traditions. While a normal worship service would be fine, don’t rule out attending on a special holy day together as well.

3. Get Pictures Taken Together. If you’re involved in the shopping idea from #5 and find that your particular mall has a photography studio, get some professional shots taken together. They are great keepsakes. Besides, it’s fun to confuse the photographer.

2. Get Crafty. For just a simple in-house visit at either home, get some paper, some paint and make a craft together. It’s best if you come up with a specific idea ahead of time so you’re not scrounging around for materials and ideas. Simply finger paint a picture of the lot of you together. Make cards to send to friends and family. Decorate a seasonally appropriate decoration (pumpkins, turkeys, stockings). Let your minds be free. (Just don’t get glitter in your eyes.)

1. Go On Vacation Together. Last year, J & D (and kids) and Josh & I (and kid) started this tradition. (Or, I think it will be a tradition. It seems to be so.) Last year we stayed at the Jersey Shore for a few days, enjoying the beach, fattening food, shops that exist solely to make you buy things you don’t need, tantrums, early morning donut runs, late nights, multiple child bath times and night life… together. This year we are going to Disney World… together. The memories that we created last summer will be with me for a lifetime. I experienced watching the Munchkin swim by herself for the first time, our first ever “walk alone” togethr and some great bonding moments in general. Obviously, this particular option is for those who have extremely solid relationships and can handle being in the same place, at the same time for more than three hours. That said, be sure to take time for yourself during these vacations. To much togetherness, with anyone, can be overwhelming. Plan a walk, a soak in your jacuzzi tub or just some time on the beach reading a book by yourself and let others know that this is your alone time. Most of all: enjoy the memories that are made during extended vacations together.

Basically, you can make a visit as special or as everyday as you want it to be. Using your imagination will make a visit memorable (as will a camera). Don’t forget to be honest with the other party involved in the visit: if you need a moment to yourself, take it. Visiting doesn’t have to be big and scary: it can be downright FUN. Enjoy yourselves. Enjoy one another. Enjoy the memories waiting to be made.

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