February 2009 - visit together

Sally was running a bit late this morning as there was an accident on the road, which was fine, as we'd got up a bit late anyway!
It was our first visit with Sally together for over a month, so good to get everything back on track.
We discussed how we were feeling about adoption now - what do we expect? I said I expected hard work, difficult times and lots of stress, and anything better is a bonus. Dan said he agreed. Sally was pleased as she said often people think it will be all hearts and flowers but it isn't. Many adoptive parents suffer post-adoption depression, when the reality kicks in. I myself have a friend at work who adopted a young girl and she suffered with this for about a month after the child was placed with her so I understood this. Sally explained that when we get our children we will need to introduce them to our family and friends slowly. No welcome to our family parties, no big get-togethers. Just slowly introducing them to people over time. They probably need a month first of all with just the two of us and maybe our parents and sisters.
Sally also mentioned that we should start using contraception since many couple conceive just as they are approved and about to have children placed with them but this isn't an issue for us since I have no fallopian tubes - it would be a medical miracle if I conceived!
We explained to Sally we had discussed 3 children but we had decided this would be too much for us straight away and Sally agreed this was a good decision for us.
We are still on to complete our home study in April, and hopefully go to panel in June. Unforatunately, once we've been approved at panel we will have to get a new social worker since Sally is moving over to work with children rather than with adoptive parents, but she will see us through to panel.
Dan and I need to start reading the recommended books and learn about attachment disorders so we are fully prepared for what issues the children may have. Sally also explained there would be a workshop on attachment problems and we will go along to this and this will help as well.