Comments on: Doing Away With ‘Gotcha’ Day?

By: grant

grant — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 11:34:19 +0000

Oh, I always liked “Gotcha” in the sense of a prank, like “Hey, there, little baby! We’re the strangers with big noses come to take you away from everything you’ve ever known! GOTCHA!”

We, uh, don’t really use the term around our house either. We met my daughter on December 22, and her birthday’s on the 27th, so, well, we have a full enough Christmas season already.

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 18:29:02 +0000

I’ve heard of the “Gotcha Day” phenomenon as well, and find it pretty objectionable for all the reasons stated above. I would really prefer “Adoption Day” although I don’t know. I didn’t know what day I arrived in my home until I was in my twenties. The discrepancy between my birthday and the actual arrival day was a troubling one. We only ever celebrated my birthday when I was growing up, and I think I probably would not have liked to bring attention to an Adoption Day, or a “Gotcha” day.

By: Mo

Mo — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 18:10:59 +0000

We celebrate my son’s “Arrival Day” as a special day and not a gift day. Last year we went to the zoo. I’m not sure what we’ll do this year. I took the day off though.

Personally, as an adoptee, I don’t like the term “gotcha” either. I’m not sure if it’s because it makes the day seem a little silly or if it just insults my English grammer training (English minor).

By: Sandra Hanks Benoiton

Sandra Hanks Benoiton — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 16:19:48 +0000

In our house, it’s each kid’s “Family Day” to celebrate the event of adding to the family.

By: Dr. G

Dr. G — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 15:27:33 +0000

"Gotcha Day?" Now how did that one get past me? I've never even heard of it. How could that be? Be careful, if the greeting card industry ever gets hold of that, it will become a circus.

Clearly, this is not something we celebrate in our family. We took pictures the day our daughters' adoptions were finalized, but, through a number of SNAFUS that was almost two YEARS after we originally "gotem" (get it?) and by then they were well entrenched into our family.

We do however celebrate all three of our kids grand splash into our lives twice a year. On, ummm, Mother's Day and Father's Day.

By: The Moose

The Moose — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 14:59:19 +0000

We won't use the term "Gotcha" but I in know way take issue with it. Every day I look at my daughter I tell her "Daddy's got you (Gotcha) and I'll never let you go!" Mia looks over to her mom and says "Mommy! Daddy got me!"

I remember the day the lady looked at us at 8:32 in the morning and said "Mr. and Mrs. Mummau, this completes your adoption...congratulations." This coming after 14 months of separation from my wife while she fostered our baby in Guatemala brought a flood of emotion. It is a landmark in our life and one we feel is worth celebrating albeit privately a celebration nonetheless.

For everyone I guess it is different but I certainly wouldn't fault someone for use of a term if it conveys to them their protection and love of their child. By the way, we call the day "Mia Day" and it is March 31.

Great thought provoking post!