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Some people might say, go with your gut feeling. The truth is that most people dont get to meet their children before committing to them. You just commit and then get on with it, and it's a lot easier for some than others depending on the personalities of the children and the experiences they come with. some people fall in love with their children straight away, most get to love them over time. a week isnt very long to know how things will be. you must know something about the children - a better indicator of the future will be to understand their past and the problems they may have in forming their bond with you. I'm interesting in the route you are going down - respite with a view to adoption. does the placing agency see this as a "trial?" do you?

Re 'What do you think you should feeling?' - Excitement, joy, nerves, apprehension? I don't appear to have any of these emotions at this time which is making me question whether adopting these children is the right decision all round; for the children, for my partner, for us all as a family. Interesting and helpful to hear of your own experience/mixed feelings for your three. I believe I could parent both children.

It's far easier, of course, if you have some of those feelings especially the joyful and excited ones, but those feelings themselves wont be grounded in the reality that is to come! I think numbness is a understandable response to the enormity of what you are facing? What does your partner feel? You believe you could parent both children - well, that's something, isnt it? You dont say if you have other children, but presumably you are coming to adoption because you want to be a parent. Presumably you have also been matched because the sws see you as appropriate parents for these children. You could wait for another match and see if you feel differently about it. But if you again feel nothing, what then?