[PamelaC]

I was wondering what paperwork did everyone keep. I have all of the official documents in a safe. But I kept copies of every receipt, every note, every letter - you get the picture. Now 3 years later I am wondering why I am keeping copies of the application, question pages and receipts for every mailed item.

Did anyone keep everything and do you feel it is important for your child to see everything?

Thanks
Pam

[beckyww]

I threw out a load after a year and really - after three years - could throw out a lot more. I'm keeping the "official" stuff for Julia later, of course. But like you - receipts from McDonalds in Moscow, innoculations received for travel, that kind of thing - it's junk.

I'm not a scrapbooker so really no use at all.

The most important papers (to me) are her Russian passport, her American passport, her American "Recognition of Foreign Birth" certificate w/our names and her Social Security card. Other stuff? Fluff.

Becky
This Reminds Me

[MamaChinch]

Someone had once asked their SW and agency what to do with the dossier and the paperwork...
the response was, "Wallpaper".
I have everything that didn't go into her scrap or life books in one drawer in my office. It's the Delaney's Documents drawer. Could probably toss most of it.....

[kretzklan]

I did part ways after a couple of years with a ton of the stuff...kept only official documents and the few things I put in their life books (airline tickets, cards from their caregivers)...actually we filled out the G884 and got all stuff we'd had before. I'm keeping both sets for now - thinking they'll want a set when they leave me, but will they really?

[TweetyMom04]

Kept 2 copies of paperwork. One for him and him. If they don't want it or have no interest, we will recycle.

As for receipts, etc., put them in a photo book about the trip. Photos, plane tickets, post cards, etc. The boys can view it any time and share the book later in life. Interesting for us to look through it, even moreso, watch our Friends look through it.

The rest or extra copies, recycled.

[N.Gwinn]

I kept a few things for the scrap book that are just fun to look at because they represent the culture of our son's country such as receipts and money. I also kept the original referal because it was so important to me, and the reports from the agency because they tell a story in themselves. Actually, now that I think about it, I have thrown very little away. I keep most of it in a file that says adoption so that on that day when Ian really figures out what it means that he was adopted from Russia, I can begin to show him the story of how he became a part of our family. The really important stuff is in a safe deposit box. The rest is in the file.

[N.Gwinn]

One more thought... my nephew was adopted from Korea many years ago. He was in third grade when he truly wrapped his brain around the idea that he was adopted. From what I understand, this is the typical age for kids to get that 'ah ha!' realization, and then they have some real processing to do in order to emotionally be OK with it.

Right now, my son is 4 1/2. We tell him all the time about how he is from Russia. We read the adoption story book "Tell Me Again About The Night I Was Born". He knows, but he doesn't really get it. He actually made a comment a year ago about how he grew in my tummy. I am keeping as much stuff as possible to help him through when he gets to that point where he understands what adoption means and has to redefine who he is to himself.

[MominPA]

I kept all copies of what I needed for my dossier and agency paperwork. I also have out plane tickets and other travel related stuff too.

What I did was I put the documents in a large three ring binder. I used document protectors. Acutally this became very helpful during our second adoption since I could remember how we did something from our first adoption.

The boys don't go through the binders, but have their own personal books that they can go through.

[amyfk]

HI Pam

I hope you are well. I basically kept all of my papers in a plastic tub that I got from an office supplies store. I kept my child's official documents in a safe place in my home(though they probably belong in the vault). I am finishing up the paperwork for a readoption and some of it comes in handy. I am just the type of person who believes in saving stuff like this because you never know.
Amy K, NJ

[SingleMama2B]

I've kept everything, including ALL of the Emails that went on for months, especially the ones that told me that I may never see her again because of an "Aunt" that came out of the woodwork. I wanted to give her the opportunity to see the whole process. What she does with it when she is an adult, is up to her. Also, keep in mind that "A" was over 8 years old when she came home, so she understood the adoption etc. from the first moment.