International "Gotcha Day" Declared Families Grown by International Adoption are Given Day to Celebrate

Well known in the adoption community, "Gotcha Day" is the first day a parent spends with his or her newly-adopted child. Chicago Spectrum Press has declared September 15th as International "Gotcha Day," one day each year when families who have come together through international adoption celebrate their coming, and being, together.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) July 25, 2005 -- Adoptions from other countries have grown over 300% in the last decade according to U.S. Department of State. This September 15th, more than 21,000 new families each year have a new reason to celebrate.

Well known in the adoption community, "Gotcha Day" is the first day a parent spends with his or her newly-adopted child. Chicago Spectrum Press has declared September 15th as International "Gotcha Day," one day each year when families who have come together through international adoption celebrate their coming, and being, together.

"I fondly recall the day I became the mother of my two sons," says Margaret L. Schwartz, author of The Pumpkin Patch: A Single Womans International Adoption Journey (www.Pumpkin-Patch.net). "A familys first day together is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Every emotion from frustration to elation makes International 'Gotcha Day' worthy of celebration."

Schwartz adopted her two boys from Ukraine, a young country going through tremendous turmoil, which in 2003 was the sixth most frequently chosen country from which to adopt children. She is one of a growing trend of single people who have adopted children from other countries.

Most people know at least one child or parent who found each other through international adoption. Here are three ways you can be a part of their International "Gotcha Day" celebration:

* Help them compile a photo album of the journey that brought them together.

* Prepare a meal, complete with music, from the childs native country.

* Ask parent and child to tell the story of their first day together.

* Capture video tape of their stories.

Find the free report "Instant Parenthood: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" at www.Pumpkin-Patch.net.

CONTACT:

Margaret L. Schwartz

(703) 862-4207

www.Pumpkin-Patch.net

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