Class of 2013 - 2015ish...

[prumarth]

Hello, I very infrequently drop by these days but stumbled across a few posters on the main boards that I recognised from our early days of starting the adoption journey and it just made me very nostalgic! I adopted my first back in 2014 and it was an incredible time. The adoption boards were a massive source of support and advice - literally don't think we would have got there if it wasn't for this board.
So I wanted to pop back and on the off chance any of the older posters are still lurking from time to time and say hello and thankyou to so many wonderful old friends - Lilka, Devora, Kewcumber, LocoParentis, Italiangreyhound, Daffodil, Polka, Choccyjules, Buster, myfeetarecold, meita, Inthebeginning and so many more. I hope you are all doing well.

To those at the start of their adoption journey or in the process, there is so much expertise on these boards, you will get so much support. Much luck!

[Hidingthegoodchocolate]

Hi Pru! I was in your gang and you were amazing at supporting me (polka). How are things going?

I can’t quite believe these days the challenges are things like navigating secondary school dramas - so much has changed!

[prumarth]

Polka! Lovely to catch you here! I’m good - I totally lost touch with everyone when number 2 arrived and 3 followed swiftly behind and life got hairy very quickly! I often thought of you all many times.
How is your gorgeous little one? And oh my god, senior school already - that’s incredible.
We are good - the usual ups and downs but we work our way through it all!

[prumarth]

Also love the name!

[Hidingthegoodchocolate]

3!! I remember your early days of 2. Usual ups and downs here too but overall good. I will try and work out how to PM you (I wouldn’t wait on the edge of your seat, might take me a while 😁)

[prumarth]

lovely! I shall attempt the same from my end and between us we should be able to sort it!

[Hels20]

I am from that Cohort - we are now in Year 8 and year 4. Our youngest has severe ADHD - possibly other stuff ;maybe FAS?) and is a real challenge. Our eldest somehow manages to get to school each day despite massive anxiety - and I even got a phonecall from school the other week saying he had come top of class in maths! Felt v chuffed and proud. BUT he is really kicking off about adoption and the issue at the moment is that he wishes Messi had adopted him but anyway “I hate being adopted. Why do I have to be adopted?” Unfortunately, he has zero interest in his birth family. Seems to have real hatred which I don’t think is healthy.

we have our difficulties but just about holding it all together!

[Hels20]

Who was that amazing poster who ended up adopting 5? Boston mama or something? So many awe inspiring women.

[Hidingthegoodchocolate]

Hi @Hels20 great to hear how you’re doing. We’re finding a much bigger interest in the concept of adoption at secondary age too. Sadness here rather than hatred, but hard. Top in maths is impressive, well done!

[prumarth]

Hi Hels, lovely to hear from you! Top in maths is brilliant news. Ours struggle academically - very bright but lots of barriers to traditional learning!
Age definitely brings fresh challenges - my eldest is now Y5 and he is starting to make connections that he had never previously seemed aware or concerned about in his lifestory and he moves between annoyance & sadness. He recently asked why they never write back via letterbox and I just felt so awful explaining that maybe they find it too upsetting and he said 'its like they just threw me away'. There never seems to be a good answer does there!

[prumarth]

ah yes, boston mama sounds familiar! I remember her - no idea how she managed 5!

[delilabell]

I was in the group! We adopted m in 2014. He's now in year 6. Fasd diagnosis but doing well- an emotional duracell bunny! Then suprise home grown c came along.
I remember you both 💗

[Hidingthegoodchocolate]

waving hi @delilabell great to hear how you’re doing!

@prumarth that’s a heartbreaking comment, god there’s so much pain in all this :-( But also so much joy in the day to day stuff, thankfully. DD spent a long time painting a picture of us both recently, and I asked her why we looked so happy in her picture, what were we doing? She said “just hanging out and being together”. She’s somewhat awesome.

[prumarth]

@delilabell, I remember you well and often thought about you. How are you all getting on? Its good that M has a proper diagnoses for FASD - hope you and M are getting the support you need? And I remember C's arrival too - exciting (and scary!) times!

@Hidingthegoodchocolate , that's lovely! Middle did me a lovely picture too the other day - a big heart and saying thankyou for the best day of her life - after a trip to Claire's accessories - very easily pleased 😁