"Finding Mum and Dad" - Channel 4, 10PM on the 15th

[Lilka]

This program needs its own thread

It explores adoption parties as a way of finding families for hard to place children, with a special focus on two little boys called Connor and Daniel, aged 7 and 5 now.

The Daily Mail have done an article about it today and also spoken to another family who found their son (who has a complex heart condition) at an adoption party - here

Heartbreakingly, the article says that the 3 adoption parties Connor and Daniel have attended haven't resulted in them finding a family. So the newspaper articles and the Channel 4 program are the last last ditch and if there's no family found through the TV program, then the boys plan will change to permanent fostering instead.

Also heartbreakingly I wonder how this is going to impact on them as they grow older if they aren't found a family

Would any of you consider letting your children watch this, aged about 8-10? DS is 8yrs 11mths, and he saw an advert for this and asked what it was about and now he wants to watch. He can't watch on the night with me and DD2 because it's on too late, but I'm not sure whether to record it for him to watch with me at the weekend or not?

[MrsBW]

Probably best to record and view; then decide?

I'm not sure if it will be mentioned in the program, but one of the key people involved in coming up with the idea for and setting these days up is, themselves, adopted - if that makes any difference.

[Lilka]

I'm definitely recording it, because he can't watch something that runs til 11PM. Yes, I'll judge based on what I see and we'll watch it together at the weekend if I decide it's okay for him to watch

Was wondering what age people start letting their children watch adoption documentaries?

[MrsBW]

Just come back to this to apologise for a crap reply... Was at work so typed a quick reply and when I re-read it I thought 'of course it'll be watched before it's shown'... Sorry!

I'll watch it with interest, especially as these adoption party events were mentioned at our prep group.

[Lilka]

Just a reminder guys, this is TONIGHT, at 22:00

[Choccyjules]

Am recording it. These events seem to be making a comeback. I know in the past they could be upsetting and humiliating for older children who knew what was going on. Will be interesting to see how they have changed.

[allthingswillpass]

We attended this activity day........

[Lilka]

Wow! Maybe we'll get a view of the back of your head?

[allthingswillpass]

Only the back of my head Lilka!
We were all asked if we wanted to take part, we declined......

[Lilka]

I've already cried twice and it's only the first ad break

[holycowwhatnow]

O they are such lovely boys and it would be heartbreaking if they have to be separated. They're such little characters. I hope there's a Disney ending for them. Thought it was sad that Connor's nametag suggests he's part of a sibling group but Daniel's doesn't.

[Mellowandfruitful]

The Guardian also did an article on this with some background: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jan/11/adoption-parties-best-way-children-parents-meet

holycow I wondered about that too - a mistake perhaps? Or trying to 'market' Daniel separately?

I am already tearful. I would hope though that people will come forward as a result of the programme, surely?

[Lilka]

I feel so sad for Scott

[justmuddlingalongsomehow]

So heartbreaking

[Lilka]

I heard that they still haven't found a family for Daniel and Connor

Oh little Thomas! Tearing up again

However so far the program hasn't reassured me or appreciated any of my concerns about the activity days

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

Why does one of them have a sibling number and the other not?

[holycowwhatnow]

Had to go to squeeze my nose, it's melting.

[Lin2665]

I was surprised in this day and age they are still seperating siblings. After seeing the upset this causes in later life, I find the whole concept rather disturbing!

[Lilka]

Sometimes seperating siblings is the right thing to do for the children's sake, my daughter's were separated from their siblings and it was the right thing to do. But it should only be done when it's in the children's best interests

Okay celebration hearing for Thomas, crying again

[Devora]

Oh lord, this is desperately sad. And bringing back all the tension and anxiety of trying to get matched...

Those little boys are just lovely. And what nice foster carers.

[flatmum]

Poor Connor and Daniel. Such sweet little boys, it's so sad. I missed the beginning, why aren't the foster family able to adopt them? I wish I could.

[QuickSqueezeCoolBreeze]

Gate crashing thread but I oh so really really want Daniel and Connor's Foster Carers to adopt them-I think Katy really wants to...

[TeamHank]

They don't want too flatmum - think they're too old.

[Lilka]

I have to say, I wish they weren't making the age thing sound so simple 'adopters only want babies'. It's more complicated than that. This program, it's like it's blaming the adoptive parents for the boys not finding a home

I'm heartbroken watching this second party and then trying to make the adopters come and play with the boys

[TeamHank]

I think it's so sad that everyone is so obsessed with adopting girls . Those two little boys remind me so much of my own two - gorgeous kids.