[Richie68]

Hi Great to hear from you and thanks for your reply. Man they are putting you through the paces with your profile aren't they. Is she/he lovely? All my Social Worker cared about is my spelling, I think she was an English teacher in a previous life.

I ran down to the office to pull out all our documentation (and our profile) to see what we had written about parenting and there really wasn't much! We mainly said things like:

* Our decision as to who would be the main caregiver (and we joked that my hubby would go to all the Mothers' Coffee mornings).

* Building on the adopted child's own natural skills

* We live in the country so we said that this would be the "flavour of their upbringing" (or birth mother wanted someone from the country as it turned out).

* We knew that we could love a child that was not created from us, and love them unconditionally.
* Then we talk about what we personally believed (e.g Moral Courage) and which values we would pass on.
Probably not in depth enough for your Social Worker, but that all we really put about that.

Just remember, initially it is the photos that matter. She'll be seeing lots of profiles and it really does come down to what colour cover you choose and what photo you put on the cover. I know of one couple that was chosen because the bride was wearing pearls at her wedding. We were chosen because she liked our dog (and I must admit I chose a very cute picture).

As for our 2nd IVF. Yes not really sure about that one. I'll have a few wines the night before the needle sticking starts again. You're right though. I don't really care if it works or not! The wonderful thing about an adopted child is you are guaranteed 100 per cent healthy children (if you tick those boxes!).

Yes our first cycle was before we adopted, but what is amazing is that we saved up and paid for a 2nd cyle and the day I was due to have my first blood tests we got the phone call to say we had adopted. I had great joy in ringing back the clinic to say "thanks but no thanks". I thought I'd never have to see that horrible nurse again!

Oh and the other weird thing was walking out of work and everyone is saying "see you tomorrow" and only you and the boss know that they won't.

We've never met our son's birth mother and we probably never willl. She walked out the hospital shortly after the birth and has never seen him again. It feels really weird as I know she must be thinking of him. She took 3 weeks to chose a family for him and she was really particular about what she wanted. So I feel there is someone walking around out there who knows exactely who we are - but we wouldn't know her if we bumped into her in the street.

I just re-read over your past postings above, I've sooo been there. I've thrown a few things around in frustration wondering why the whole world seems to have children and why did I have to "pass the test" to become a mum. Good luck and let me know how you are getting on.

Happy profiling!

Richie 68