[Havebigheart]

We are in the process of trying to adopt our relative's child out of foster care. He has been with the same family since he was 3 months old. He is very attached to these caregivers. They love him but do not have the interest in adopting him as they are an older couple, with many grown children & grandchildren of their own. We have started visits and all is going pretty well. We picked him up last week and it was a super visit. He separated from them with no issue and had a great time with us! This week's visit did not go so well. He wouldn't separate from the caregivers and the poor little guy was really crying hard. My husband and I were heartbroken and guilt ridden. What the heck were we trying to do to this poor baby? (He's 2.) I know some of this comes with the age as my kiddos probably would not have wanted to go with people they didn't know that well at that age either. We've spent some time with him and he is slowly getting to know us. The GREAT thing is what when he is with us, he has a blast! When he was so upset this week, we decided to just have our visit at the foster parents' home and that went really well! He had a ton of fun with us and there was no issue then. We all got many hugs and kisses and just had so much fun with him. As experienced foster parents (which I am not), do you have any advice in making the transition to an adopted home easier? Any advice for us in helping him bond with us easier? I felt really low after he was so upset. I don't want to traumatize him at all. This has been the only home he has known so being so attached is completely understandable. Any advice for me?