Anyone else matched with placement next year?

[GoodTennis]

Just want to vent really. Its such a strange time. Little ones don't know whats about to happen next year. Im sad they aren't here for christmas, happy they are with people they know. Just a lot of mixed feelings tbh. I know its not long and every Christmas after this one will be different but its a very weird limbo time that I dont think you get if you have panel then start intros straight away. The house is decorated for them, there's things for them, plates, cutlery and no kids.

I understand why it's like this but it doesn't stop it feeling hard.

We waiting 3 months after panel before we started intros & it was the long time of my life. Must be even harder over Xmas.
Sending a virtual hug & hope your not waiting too much longer.

Thanks, i keep telling myself next year will be different but wow its hard waiting. Just cant wait to be around them

That sounds so difficult. We'd had a bump into with our little one and then the Foster carer took her on holiday. I was happy she had a nice time but was pretty upset as well. The waiting is so hard.

That sounds hard, GoodTennis! We've only just started linking and even at this early stage, I'm finding the Christmas break not easy as I keep catching myself thinking about LO as our future child - when, in reality, it might not go ahead for a variety of reasons and and it probably doesn't help with not getting attached prematurely either. I can only just imagine how much harder it is when you've been matched and have got everything ready for your children... Congrats on the match though! Will you start intros in January? How long before the move is planned? Thinking of you.

Thanks. Will be home in January so its not long to wait. The whole process is hard. When I was at your stage with these LOs it was hard to not get too attached to them before we knew for sure it was happening. Its an emotional rollercoaster but it will be worth it! Fingers crossed for you!!

Thanks, GoodTennis! Hope January comes round quickly for you. X

The good thing is they are having a nice Christmas in a home they know.
And next Christmas they'll get that too. You'll have had a whole year to get to know them and feel more confident in choosing presents and how to structure things.
Best wishes.

Oh yep 100% it will work out better but just miss them. Hehe

I found yesterday extremely hard, our little boy wasn't with us and whilst we got lovely pictures from the foster carers it wasn't the same.

I hope you feel better today. Now its over with I'm thinking about 2023. Hopeful that things are going to go well

Fingers crossed for you both @GoodTennis and @juneybean and your little ones! Sorry you found it so hard.

We had this exact situation two years ago. Matched in early December but LO didn't move in until the end of January. It was so weird, but the following Christmas was just magical! Congratulations on the match and I hope it all goes well for you!

I think that's my thing keeping me sane lol

I feel better now, its closer to them moving in. Christmas is done and its onwards and upwards. I suppose you had the same we will have of almost a full year before Christmas so you will know them, their triggers, what they can and cannot cope with before trying to shoehorn them into this huge family occasion. We can take our time and work out whats going to work for them!