What a relief.....

So we had a house visit yesterday from a social worker for Croydon.  We'd spoken a few times on the phone and I'd had a mental picture of her but it didn't quite match up to the real thing.  At first sight she looks a bit disorganised and a little frantic and when we first started chatting David and I both thought she was going to chat forever.  As it was, she did.  Well for 3 and a half hours anyway!
For a first interview it was fairly probing but not a patch on our first experience with Tower Hamlets.  The only thing that stopped our meeting with Tower Hamlets being a Cold War style interrogation was the missing light shone directly into our eyes.  She on the other hand was thorough and firm but also very giving and nurturing.  She gave us lots of advice as she took us through the form and explained everything we need.  At some points it almost felt like a counselling session as she gave us advice on how many children we could practically deal with, how we could improve our finances and how I, in particular, could improve family relationships.  She definitely took a real shine to David, referring to his medical knowledge and calming nature.  She was very intuitive and wise and just like a good social worker should be.
As the end of the very long session she marked her timesheet as 2 hours instead of the 3 and a half and told us that most of the things she told us she wouldn't normally say at this stage of the proceedings but she had a good feeling about us.  Good for us!!
She then had a look around the flat.  This was my biggest worry.  It is a lovely flat but is it really child friendly?  Well, she thought so.  What a total relief.  When we looked at the spare room she was even giving us tips on how we could decorate the room effectively for a child and also make it work for us.  She is good.
So this is how it's left.  She'll be writing up her notes and will be recommending the we move on to the Preparation Groups which is the next stage.  She said that she believes we are a 'good resource' for Croydon and that can only be a good thing.  We're both looking forward to the preparation groups and the challenges they may throw our way.  To be honest we just want to be in the process.
It's another hurdle but there are many more higher hurdles to come.  I'm sure we can jump then together.

We went to the pub with some friends after the Royal Wedding today.  The pub was rammed and there where lots of kids running around, enjoying the sunshine, the pub garden and each other.  David and I were issuing parenting tips.  I wonder what kind of parents we will be???