Next step; Preparation group...

So after the initial visit from Local Authority we were assuming we would be included in a Preparation Group in September 2010 and then in December 2010.  Sadly on both occasions, they were cancelled.  On reflection, we were excited and apprehensive and then disappointed in equal measure.  We know now that this is something we are going to have to get used to and need to expect as prospective adopters / adopters.

We went along to the next Preparation Group in January 2011.

It was a three day course, run by the Local Authority.  There were 13 of us in our group and we were a real mix of people.  We were the only lesbian couple, but there were two gay male couples within our group, so it helped us to feel at ease.  The content of the course was very thought-provoking and we covered topics such as;

• Attachment with adopted children
• Backgrounds of adopted children
• Contact with birth families 
• Explaining to a child that they are adopted

Probably the highlight of the whole process for us was hearing from an adult who was adopted as a child, a mother who relinquished her child at birth for adoption and also an adoptive parent.  Their stories were amazing and we left feeling that our knowledge and awareness around adoption had increased, we left with the application form in our hands.