6 Reasons It’s Okay for Adoptive Parents to Nest

Preparing for your child to come.

Shelley Skuster February 08, 2015

For many parents-to-be, the adoption process is full of unknowns.

It was no different when my husband and I began the adoption process.

While we were waiting for our home study to be completed, we didn’t know the gender or age of our child. But we set up the nursery anyway, and I’m glad we did. Six short months later, our daughter arrived with no advanced notice!

Here are six reasons it’s okay to set up your child’s bedroom and nest before you’re matched:

1. It’ll make it more “real”

There’s nothing that makes the adoption process more “real” than setting up your child’s bedroom. While it’s not always possible to know your child’s gender and when your child will arrive, setting up his or her bedroom will remind you of the joy that’s soon to come.

2. It’ll keep you busy

The wait to be chosen as a child’s forever family can be daunting. Focusing on welcoming your child home and picking out books for future bedtime routines will keep you distracted from the wait and anxieties with the unknowns in the adoption process.

3. You’ll be prepared

With both of our daughters, we had less than 12-hours notice to head to the hospital and meet them. If the bedroom is ready, you’ll be even more eager to welcome your child home. Plus, you won’t have to worry about setting up a room when you’re headed home with your new little bundle!

4. It’s one part of the process you can control

Setting up the nursery is one part of the adoption process you can control. While other parts of the process—like how long fingerprints take to process, how long it takes to complete your home study—are all out of your hands. It’s refreshing to focus on something you have complete control over.

5. It’s a great way to get others involved

Whether it’s painting the walls or hanging up photos, decorating your child’s bedroom is a great way to enlist help from people you love and get them excited about your growing family.

6. It’s fun

People who desire to be parents look forward to the day their child comes home, regardless of how that child joins their family. There’s nothing more hopeful and fun than getting prepared for a child you’ve been eagerly waiting to meet.

Shelley Skuster

Shelley is a former award-winning television journalist who traded in suit coats and red lipstick for a messy bun and yoga pants. She's a freelance writer who stays at home with her three daughters who are all ((gasp)) under the age of three and came to her via adoption and birth. She's the woman behind the blog Shelley Writes and she can also be found on facebook and twitter as ShelleySkuster.

Preparing for your child to come.

Shelley Skuster

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