Introduction Check List

[TweedJacketPotato]

Afternoon All
I am very pleased and excited to say that, after a few ups and downs throughout the process I am now formally matched with a LO who I can call my son!!

Sounds completely surreal writing that our introductions start this week, for a period of two and a bit weeks I will be living away from home in a fully contained holiday let for the duration of introductions.

Which leads me to a very straightforward question, however in I'm struggling to think straight at the moment with handing work over, making sure everything's sorted in the house, finalising Welcome Book, being in daily contact with foster carers and social workers, getting round family and friends before I go etc etc.

So the question is, can someone please tell me what on earth I need to pack for this period. I'm thinking toiletries, consumables (ie. washing up / dishwasher tablets), clothes / shoes for all eventualities, car seat, phone charger, Ipad, Welcome Book and cuddly toy.... It doesn't feel enough

I'm missing something really obvious aren't I

Congratulations. You don't say an age for your son but as well as everything you'd pack for yourself for any trip away I'd suggest

A snuggle blanket for child, a toy that you can explore together, and some books. I'm sure the foster carer will provide everything you need for your little one once they are spending time with you in the accommodation but a couple of bits (as above) that you can share and will continue to share with him once you get home, of your choosing, might be nice.

Having done similar kind of intros (at distance in a holiday let), I’d suggest bringing easy snack type food, decent tea bags and a bottle of wine. Intros are emotional and exhausting - it was a nightmare trying to find my bearings in an unfamiliar place to buy some crisps and a bottle of wine, or to find somewhere not too formal to eat when I really just wanted to curl up with something easy after a long day.

Also, have you discussed whether you can bring LO to the holiday let? We weren’t “allowed” because it was considered too confusing for our two but other SWs will have different processes, if not have a good look in the area for things to do away from foster carers, you’ll all need a break from each other.

Congratulations! Such an exciting time. While none of these are essential, this is what I'd take, knowing what I know now. When you're dealing with snotty noses, sticky fingers etc. it's better if you're equipped rather than looking to the fc for supplies.

Pack of Wipes, regardless of age of child; pocket pack of tissues - it will be emotional, so maybe a couple; Notebook and pen; age appropriate snacks for
you and the child; depending on age, something to engage the child with, like bubbles, a story book, some colouring, sticker book, comic; plasters for owies (extra points for character ones); a nice thank you card for the foster carer.

How very exciting OP !!

I remember being so nervous as we'd only met once several months prior to Intros but had exchanged photos/videos/video calls. We had both fallen in love in that first meeting and he raced into my arms as soon as I got in the house in Intros. My son and I are the Perfect Match regardless of his very high needs esp emotional.

I took a mother and child rabbit to Intros. Every time I left I took one of the rabbits and my son kept one of them. Then the next day me and my son were together again as were the rabbits. It really helped him to understand that I'd be back the next day.

When his SW took the welcome book she also took a cuddly lion for my son that I'd slept with for a couple of weeks. My son absolutely loved it and carried it with him everywhere for a week or whatever it was before Intros started. It's his favourite toy and sleeps with it most nights.

Let us know how things go and take &

Do you know where the nearest supermarkets are? Also do you have Amazon prime? If so all eventualities are covered.

Also do you have a grab bag of essentials for your LO?

Only thing that I can think of that you've missed off is pain killers.

Congratulations! Exciting times! It cut out all the busyness you can before hand and during it so you can get as much rest as possible, they are exhausting! We got a tesco order booked to our accomodation on our first night so we wouldnt have to waste any time shopping and that helped. Included box of chocolates for the foster carer. We did take bubbles and used them once but other than that played with foster carers toys and the transition teddy wed done. Have some of their favourite snacks? We took lots of photos really quick and then ordered them so that they were back home before we were so we could put them all up in our home before little one arrived home. Itl all be so busy and amazing and emotional and enjoy it!

Echo all of the above. I cooked meals in advance and took them frozen to the accommodation (which was 3 hours from where we lived) Each day I was able to defrost something tasty and hassle free. You don’t want to be cooking in the evenings and you don’t want to be eating junk (it will make you even more tired) I’d also recommend taking running clothes or a decent pair of walking shoes/trainers (depending if you are a walker or a runner!) and getting out for some fresh air at the end of everyday. It will make you feel loads better in the long term and intros are exhausting. And the only other tip-take loads of photos. 5 years on for us and just this morning my son asked to see the photos of the first day he met me ❤️