Intro's Diary - Chotimonkey's Curious George

Hm, part of me says he's a baby, moving to be with people he already vaguely knows (from the contact visits) so yes intros could be short.

The other part flashes alarm bells at 9 months - the worst time to move a baby as its usually the beginning of separation anxiety time. 

Is there an option to extend things if you, or baby, needs more time? 

I am worried about his age, my other children were 16 and months respectively when they came home. 16 month old had 7 days and 8 month old had 4 days.

Everyone expected the 8 month old to find it easier but she was the more difficult to settle because she had been with FC since birth and was just hitting separation anxiety, she was terrified and expressed herself through anger and took much much longer to start firming an attachment to us.

I think because we have two DD's and we are are in accommodation, as we are out of borough, they want to move quickly. I guess I just have to see where I feel we are, we've done a lot of the things you would do in intros already, so I see the logic there, but I don't want to rush LO 3, the beginning is so important to get right.

I'm not afraid of saying how I feel to SW though and have always had a good relationship with them, so I feel they would listen if we wanted to extend.

I think to to do it before Christmas, but the timing is to take into account dds being away from home and all their things missing their routine, nursery etc (although they are pretty good at travelling, they are flexible), and FC has a lot of children who will find intros hard, so it's trying to do whats best for everyone.

I think taking in all strands it is probably the way if has to be, it's just going to be v hard for wee man.

We are bringing the grandparents with us to look after DD's at different times and DH will come and go, where as I'll stay with little man all of his waking hours and we get on v well with FC.

I think everyone will work their hardest to make it work as best they can, but it will be tough for him

As Sooz says if you've had some contact that might help a little.

I really feel for you and your LO.

Our DD had a 3 week intro period which was just way too long.
By the end of it we were effectively her childminders who gave her a lovely time and then took her home.
Big shock for her when that stopped...  

DS's intro's on other hand were a week- he was only 17 months and I feel it was just too short for him looking back.
He was as your youngest, terribly stressed and it's only recently he's calmed down.

I did read an article in AUK's magazine about how positive it is for LO's to meet up several times with their FC"s in the early days and continue to do so as often as poss moving forward.

We've stayed in touch with both children's FC's but left it some time to meet up after placement. I wish I'd read that article before DS was placed as I can see if we'd of met up sooner and more often in the early days it would of helped him enormously.

Given the plan is for LO to be placed before xmas might that give scope to do just this??

Would a couple more contacts be possible too??

Very best of luck to you and huge congrats!!!

SC x x 

I have an older LO but I took her home at 6 on the fourth day.

It was a whirlwind - and has been ever since really 

Are intro's imminent then Choti - sounds like they are tomorrow?

Best of luck Choti.  

So many positives and great that you have such a great relationship with FC, that helps sooo much.
No wonder FC thinks a few days intro's are ok, she knows you and your DD's so well.

I think you are Supermum with 3 LO's under 2.5 - Don't know how you do it!  

Keep us posted if you get a chance although we'll understand if you can't as you'll have your hands full.

Go Choti....very excited for you!!

xxx

So we're here.

Lovely little solo visit with wee man before full day tomorrow at FC house tomorrow, he's so lovely.

One of our previous contacts was at our house and ever since we had him at home I've been dying for him to be fully ours.

So pleased its finally happening, he is gorgeous, but about to go through such a change.

Having my two girls and knowing the difference between them coming home and how they are now when they are happy and settled I can't feel fully overjoyed, because I love him and I know what he has to go through.

Our accommodation is lovely we have a a little windmill with mini kitchen and tool bench for the girls and... best if all... a hot tub!!!!!

Can't believe it, it's better than our last holiday.

Girls and I have been playing in the hot tub and I think thy are going to have a whale if a time

Over and out

Ooooooh I'm so jealous a new little bubs AND a hot tub too!!!!! 

Sounds likes a great place you have found choti - hope Intros go ok

Congratulations

That sounds fabulous - well jealous of the hot tub!

I'm glad you managed to fit in an extra couple of visits & good luck with it all