Stress levels building up nicely...

[researchbookworm]

So, we have our linking meeting tomorrow I am taking the afternoon off work today so that I can blitz the whole house and generally devote myself to pre-match panic! Our cat is mid way through a maltathon so in fact the house will all be covered in cat hair within approx 2 minutes of me putting away the hoover, but I feel I have to at least try and remove what is there already! I have taken on the wise advice from previous threads and gone for M&S chocolate biscuits on the basis that those are the ones I will want to eat when everyone has gone, regardless of whether the SWs and family finder have any themselves. I now just have to resist an irrational (yet pressing) urge to repaint the front door, and instead accept that things are largely ok anyway, and that if it doesn't go our way it is unlikely to be because I didn't polish the letterbox (or do any of the other 101 house related jobs that now suddenly seem crucial)...
Crazy to think that this could be the start of something big. Anyone else in the same boat?

All the adopters that I know in RL have had things go horribly wrong just after being linked with a child (none have actually got as far as bringing an AC home), so it would be lovely to hear from people who have managed to adopt without there being a million delays and queries on route...

[RaspberrySnowCone]

We had our linking meeting recently and I felt the same as you, I moved furniture around and had M&S biscuits! I can't lie I found the whole meeting very stressful but we got through and they've linked us. We are now waiting for a panel date which is just as stressful. In fact I think the whole thing is just stress after stress after stress. I don't think I will believe it is going to happen until LO is tucked up safely in their bedroom upstairs! I move from wanting to go out and blow the savings on things for them to wanting to hide away and speak to no one! Wish it was possible for humans to hibernate.....

[RaspberrySnowCone]

Ps adopters that I know had a relatively straightforward journey after linking so don't read too much into those that you know, every case is so individual and specific it's impossible to compare. We've had a bit of a delay so just taking each day as it comes.....

[etsybetsy]

You'll be just fine, honestly! I also suddenly questioned everything about our house before our linking meeting but nobody saw anything they didn't agree with. I find that you are more likely to hear about negative experiences online because people are looking for support but I've only heard good things from the people in my real life. Our matching panel date was booked right at the end of the linking meeting and has in fact been brought forward a month since. So relax and enjoy that nice clean (bar the cat hair) house. Good luck!

[researchbookworm]

Thanks everyone. I've pretty much finished cleaning everything- v glad I took the afternoon off and didn't have to get all stressed in the evening! I would so love it if we could book matching panel tomorrow. I'm not expecting to as our SW has said they usually go away to discuss it but it's a link in house so hopefully that will mean it's more straightforward than some. We have already been picked on paper so I'm hoping that as long as we don't do or say anything to horrify them that they will be happy to go ahead... We haven't told our families about the link yet so (assuming we get the thumbs up) it will be nice to have some good news for them too.
Oh well, I know what you mean about the stress after stress thing Snowcone. I hope that you hear about your panel date really soon...

[researchbookworm]

Ps Cat currently sitting on my lap shedding fluff at a rate of knots. I wonder if he'd let me Hoover him...?!

[Italiangreyhound]

Good luck.

[researchbookworm]

Very pleased to say that it all went well and I've just heard that we are officially linked! Such a relief. Obviously loads to iron out and schedule but we are extremely happy to have made it this far :-)

Any news on your matching panel date Raspberry?

[ann0102]

Well done! We met with prospective child's sw yesterday. She didn't give much away, dissapointed to have not heard anything today either. Our sw remains positive although also frustrated at other sw's lack of organisation!! Fingers crossed we hear soon.