One week later...

I can’t believe it’s really been a week already since panel. In a way a lot has happened and in many others not enough. After talking to some parents who take their children to both of the schools we had shortlisted, we have chosen a school and applied for a place. We have also finished the introduction DVD and sent it together with the book and a puzzle we had made with our picture. This is because H likes puzzles and it’s meant to be good to help him become familiar with our faces.
I have been telling lots of people at work and nobody suspected a thing, of course, so there’s been many a surprised face. The reaction has been very good (at least to my face!). In fact one of my colleagues “came out” as an adopter when I told her. She has mentioned her child before, but she’s never told anyone at work that her child is adopted. It occurred to me that we can’t really hide the fact that H is adopted. Well, people may wonder if he’s the product of a previous relationship, but we are a lot more likely to be asked than a mum and dad out with their child. Anyway, it will be great to have someone else around who knows what adoption is like!

I can’t remember if I mentioned this, but I will be the one taking adoption leave. Glen’s job can guarantee that he will have a job if he takes the leave, but not that he can come back to the same post. My work is better for that (although possibly not as good when it comes to some of the terms and pay) so that helped to make the decision. It’s weird to think that I will be away from work for a few months. I’m actually looking forward to it! H will be going to school shortly after he comes to live with us, so it was tempting to just be off work for three months (the time I’m on almost full pay) and then go back to work, but because we don’t know how well he will settle I’ll be applying for a whole year’s leave and then go back early if all goes well. At least we’ll have the choice.

We still haven’t had the letter from the agency decision maker confirming the match. Miranda says this should happen very soon. It’s meant to be within 7 working days of panel, so by Friday at the latest I guess! Can’t wait to see it in black and white.