After the first 24 hours of elation after finding out we're officially linked to our LO, I'm now having a bit of a panic about intros and could do with your advice.
MP will be late November, and intros starting 6th December. While this does mean we'll have LO's first Christmas with us which is obviously a wonderful thought, I'm now a bit worried that it's too close to Christmas?
My worry is compounded by the fact I'm a teacher and am usually exhausted by December (especially when this time it'll mean preparing for my paternal leave cover teacher as well).
Usually our LA avoid intros in December, but due to LO's age (6 months) they wanted to go ahead, rather than waiting a month until January when SWs will be back at work again.
Do you think I am worrying unnecessarily? Are we better to keep quiet and go along with everything, or should I push for a January date when things are calmer? (This would also give my school a bit longer to find a teacher to cover me).
Dont get me wrong, we're ridiculously excited and have no doubts at all.
We just want to make sure we get the planning right.
Any advice appreciated.
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Timing of intros - advice needed!
Acorn44 · 07/10/2016 18:01
I would go ahead with the schedule as suggested - the sooner your LO joins your family, the sooner you start building your bond together. An extra month in FC is a very long time for a child that young, especially as a proportion of their age. I might answer differently if there was a big immovable event like a surgical operation or something, but otherwise I would get going as soon as you can. School will cope, the world won't end, especially if you're telling them now about the matching panel date (though you don't have to).p
Your LO will be too small to notice Christmas, and this time around you'll be too tired 
so it's just an arbitrary calendar date. But by proceeding, you get to have photos of your LO's very first Christmas in your home, which is something special not to miss out on just due to jobs/other people.
Good luck at matching panel!
You might have a stinking cold and be knackered in intros in January too 
If you can manage a few days' breathing space between intros starting and the end of work, that's often very useful whatever you label it for work if only to stock the freezer and clear the decks!
Acorn re " I'm now a bit worried that it's too close to Christmas?" It's not, so don't worry. Basically, exactly what others have said. Adopting a six month old baby is very rare, the social workers want to get the baby home to you as soon as possible, please do not get in their way.
"I'm usually exhausted by December (especially when this time it'll mean preparing for my paternal leave cover teacher as well)." you will be tired whatever. Get earlier leave if you can.
Re "Are we better to keep quiet and go along with everything, or should I push for a January date when things are calmer? (This would also give my school a bit longer to find a teacher to cover me)." please, please do not worry about your school, they will cope. Prepare to bring home your little one.
Congratulations. Do not miss their first Christmas unless it is something very major. 
Thanks all. You're absolutely right. Decision made: he will be home for Christmas!
I had a vision of finishing school work/carol service half eight one evening and starting intros eight the next morning. On a residential at half term so wouldn't have felt mentally ready, like Familyvonstropp experienced. Didn't quite register that I could have a few days in between! 
Thanks again for putting this into perspective. We only heard about LO a week or so ago, and are now linked (after so many declines) so it's all a bit surreal, especially as we thought we didn't stand a chance of being linked with a baby. Even typing that gives me butterflies!
Congrats! DS came home on the second week of December when he was 23 months and it was fine. A good excuse for a nice Christmas with just yourselves. Mine was very low key, didn't even have a Xmas tree just a few decs and presents and it was bliss. There was talk at MP of delaying placement until new year and my heart sank, the thought of him still being in FC during the first Christmas is was actually noticing things was 
.
Re feeling sick and tired now......consider it a warm up
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