terrible nerves about taking the leap

[Beautifulvue]

Just about to go to panel.
am having terrible fear about being 50 years old (as is my partner is too) and taking on a young child who will take more than I can provide them with to live a stable life. This is being exacerbated by the terrible economic situation the country is in where I fear the little support offered to looked after children will be further destroyed. Plus I worry about my job. Did anyone else have these kind of fears the closer they got to panel? many thanks

I don't mean 'provide' just as money (although I feel the pressure of being the main breadwinner) . I mean the prospect that the trauma my child will have faced resulting in something we just can't cope with.

These are all the sort of sensible worries parents have before they have a baby. Worrying about whether you can handle a child with trauma etc is the things adopters who are going in to this with their eyes open should have in my opinion.
It's tough at any age and only you know if they are nervous worries or I don't want this type of worries.
Is this approval or matching panel?

thanks so much for replying BAdopter. Approval panel - no matching as of yet.

We have a really nice supportive social worker who I sometimes think has more faith in me than I do. That gives me some comfort as I suppose that she knows what to look for in adopters.
I find it very hard to imagine a child I can see in a profile and think I can handle that. The hypothetical nature of everything is not great for my anxiety.

The fact you worry about those things is a good sign. You're putting the needs of the child above your own and they want to see that!
Its a rollercoaster of emotions. I've had many a sleepless night wondering if I am doing the right thing but ultimately my thoughts always go back to them and if I can give them a good life

You're welcome! You're so early in the process you will have plenty of time to work this out and you will never be expected to go forwards with a match you don't feel is right.
I hope panel goes well. Perhaps once it's done take a few weeks break as I bet you feel like your life has been taken over by all things adoption (I know we did!). Book a weekend away or do some things you enjoy doing it will help give you some perspective.
I was so nervous during family finding time but it just clicked when we read our LOs profile.

thanks so much - yes good idea re break. I am a bit exhausted by it all. I take comfort in you saying you had a reaction to a particular LO's profile. thanks so much

Most adopters say the same and you don't believe it until it happens.
It is so exhausting! Take care and good luck for panel.

thank you