Darren and his partner were approved as adopters and linked to a child but the courts ruled that the child should not be adopted. Darren talks about their emotional journeys and their excitement now they're about to go to matching panel with a new child.  He shares some tips for resilience during the process.

James and his husband adopted their son eight years ago but shortly afterwards, James's husband died suddenly. James talks about getting through the early days, with support from friends and family, and about how he helped his young son understand what had happened. He also talks about meeting and falling in love with a new partner and how, together, they keep the memory of his late husband alive for their son.   Here is a link to the book "No Matter What" - https://www.littleparachutes.com/books/no-matter-what/

Josh and his partner did introductions with their boys just six weeks ago. He talks in detail about the introductions process and the very early days of placement, while Tor says it's ten years today since she began intros with her son. They chat about the gradual transition for children from their foster carers' care to their adopters' care and discuss whether life is too short to make fish fingers from scratch!

Brandon and Pier have been stuck at pre-stage-one for two years due to their immigration status, wedding and house move. They're finally ready to start. They've been to all the information sessions, made a spreadsheet and chosen an agency. Brandon talks about their families back in Italy, their support network and how they're building their childcare experience while trying to decide what kind of needs they can cope with in the children they hope to adopt.

Ash and John talk about adoption journey, having both been adopted themselves.  Ash explains how he was adopted and has no details of his birth family.  John tells how he was given up for adoption after his birth mother was sexually assaulted.  John and his older half-brother were adopted together.  John tells how his foster family made introductions difficult, but his mother was determined to adopt him and his brother.  Ash shares how in the culture he was raised, adoption wasn’t spoken about, but his extended family all knew that he and his sister were adopted.