Starting your embryo adoption journey can initially feel like an endless stream of paperwork and preferences. However, one of the most personal and exciting parts of the process is creating your family profile!
For some adopting families, this is a thrilling opportunity to highlight their life, creativity, and cherished memories through words and photos. For others—especially those who are not fond of writing—it might seem like an overwhelming task. However, do not worry! The following guide will help break down the process into manageable, stress-free steps. Who knows? You might even enjoy it!
Step 1: Choose Your Format & Theme
First impressions matter and your family profile is no exception! If the thought of writing an entire profile feels daunting, start by deciding how you want it to look. Selecting a format and theme is a great way to ease into the process.
Your profile should be created in a platform that allows for easy conversion to a PDF. The most popular choices include Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Canva. Pick whichever platform feels most comfortable for you.
Once you have chosen the format, it’s time to style it! Templates available in Word, PowerPoint, and Canva can help create a cohesive and visually appealing profile. Even with a template, you can still let your personality shine through with color choices, fonts, and layouts.
Step 2: Select Photos & Plan the Layout
If writing is not your strong suit, start with the fun part—picking photos! Visuals play a big role in telling your family’s story, so aim for a well-rounded selection. Use these guidelines when choosing pictures:
- Solo & Group Shots – Include individual photos of yourself (and your spouse, if applicable), along with family, friends, children (if any), and pets.
- Professional & Candid Images – While professional photos add polish, casual snapshots give a glimpse into your everyday life.
- Posed & Action Shots – A mix of both adds depth and authenticity.
- People & Places – Highlight your community, home, and favorite local spots.
Try to include 8-16 photos with brief captions for each. Be sure to feature at least one picture of your home or yard to provide a sense of your living space.
With your photos selected, consider the layout of your profile. This is also a great time to outline the sections you plan to write (do not worry—you do not have to start writing just yet!). For example, if you are writing about your spouse, group their best photos on that page. If you are highlighting your hobbies, include a relevant image, like a hiking snapshot or a picture of you baking. Organizing your profile in this way keeps it visually appealing and structured.
Step 3: Start Writing
Now that your sections are outlined and your photos are in place, it is time to start writing! If you enjoy writing, this part will come naturally. If not, use the groundwork you have already laid to guide you.
If you are married, consider writing about each other instead of yourself—sometimes, it is easier to highlight the best qualities of the people we love. If you are single, ask close friends or family members to describe you and use their insights as inspiration.
When writing your profile, include details that the adopting family will want to know, such as:
- Physical descriptions
- Your love story (if married)
- Information about your children and how they joined your family (if applicable)
- Religious beliefs and values
- Hobbies, interests, and favorite activities
- Education and employment details
- A description of your home and neighborhood
- Plans for childcare
You will also include a paragraph or two explaining your motivation for choosing embryo adoption, and to thank the family viewing your profile for considering matching with you.
Step 4: Review & Refine
Congratulations—the hardest part is done! Before submitting your profile, take time to review your work. Read it carefully to check for any grammar or spelling errors (tools like Grammarly can help!). Ensure that no personal identifying information, like your city, street name, or house number, appears in any text or images.
Consider asking a friend or family member to review your profile with fresh eyes. Your adoption advisor is also a great resource for feedback and final approval.
Step 5: Submit & Celebrate!
With everything polished and finalized, the last step is to submit your profile. Convert your document to a PDF format before submitting it. If you are unsure how to do this, ask your adoption advisor or a tech-savvy friend for assistance. After converting, double-check that all formatting and photos appear correct.
Completing your family profile is a major milestone in your embryo adoption journey. It may feel nerve-wracking to summarize your life in just a few pages, but take a moment to appreciate how far you have come. Your future child is waiting to meet you, and this step brings you one step closer to that incredible moment.
To learn more about embryo adoption or donation, visit EmbryoAdoption.org.
Recent Comments