[Awaiting]

Hey there.
Well that little boy that we are so excited about? We finally get to meet him. His SW called today and told us that we are the first choice and that she wants us to go meet him. He is on the other side of the state and wants us to go meet him and spend the weekend with him. So why am I more nervouse to meet the FM than I am him? What do I say? How do I act? Do I bring anything? Suddenly when I thought I was so prepared, now I feel so lost!
Any suggestions or advice?
Thanks
B

[JenWen]

Awesome! I'm so excited for you! I'd be just freaking out!! <grin> I can't wait to hear how it goes!! Let us know, k?

Jen

[Howdy]

How old is he? If he is very young, I've read in a book a suggestion to take several toys for the child to play with during the visit, then leave one with the child and the others will act as familiar toys for the child to find when arriving at the new home.

If he isn't real little, maybe you could ask the current fmom's advice. McDonald's would most likely be well received, and taking the child to a park with playground equipment might be popular. If the fmom says he likes to play ball, you could bring some age-appropriate sports equipment and play those games with him.

Most likely you won't have to 'do' anything at all, you'll be too busy reacting and trying to keep up with the child!

[jamie3]

We made a picture album for our boys to take home with them. It included our house, our other kids, our dogs, and other things. It was a 4x6 album and I wrote a narrative about the picture on the facing page. For example, "This is Cinnamon, our dog. He's fat and lazy and you can snuggle with him while you watch tv." Their foster mother said they looked at it a whole lot after the visit.

Also my daughters sent them a teddy bear to take home. They haven't gone a night without it since then. We took them to Wal-Mart to pick out things for our house like sippy cups, booster seats and other things we needed for them. When they moved in they recognized those things and remembered our time together. They already had a little bit of ownership in our home.

I really encourage you to make the picture book though. It will help with some of the anxiety about the unknown.

[susanlowman]

B,
Congratulations and good luck during your visit. Not much advice other than a toy and/or coloring book (depending on age of course) and at least one picture of your family around your house -- so that he and the FM can see what you are like!!

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Awaiting]

Thanks for all the advice ladies. I spoke with B's SW today. Everything is a go and we are going over to meet him the weekend of the 14th. I am so nervous but his FM is awesome. She really put me to ease. I will only bring a pic of the 3 of us to keep, as the other children in the house might damage the book. We are most likely going to take him to Chuck E cheese or something and then back to the hotel to swim with our son. I am so excited, but still freakin out a little. It's FINALLY happening! NEVER GIVE UP!!! NEVER.
Thanks for everyones support, it really really means a lot!
B

[jolean12]

I just read....Congratulations and keep us posted.