Home study

[curliemama]

I hope it's normal to be nervous, because I am.

We live in an old house that has many ongoing projects. Nothing unsafe, but there are things that aren't attractive (we're in the middle of removing wallpaper from our bedroom walls, for example). We have three kids already, and I obviously have no problem raising them here, but will stuff like this keep us from getting approved?

I know everyone says that this process is not nearly as bad as it seems when you're just starting out, but I have nightmares of being the people who are found to be incompetent, my birth children will be taken away, etc., etc. Paranoid basically.

So next Tuesday is our first home study visit. If you had to name the top three things to be concerned about re: the appearance of the home, what would they be? What is she going to be looking for?

[queenjane]

Everyone always worries, and then nearly everyone says, after the fact, it was no big deal.

Did they give you a sheet/checklist of things that have to be in place? Some agencies will do that (for example, smoke detectors, or first aid kid or whatever)....the thing is, even if she comes out, and something is wrong, she wont NOT approve you based upon that. She'll tell you what you need to fix, give you time to fix it, then come back out to check. I think in the vast majority of cases, if you dont get approved its because they feel adoption isnt in the best interests of your family at that time. Pretty rare to not get approved, though, i think.


Good luck!!

Katherine

[Polliwog]

My home study was a piece of cake. They really want to license you and are looking for real safety hazards.

[RedOakMomma]

If you need something to keep you busy (because of the nerves), then I'd say:

Make sure your dishes are washed and the house doesn't stink like garbage
Smoke detectors are a good idea
Vac and dust

Really...it is NOT a big deal. They will not be snooping in your cupboards and closets, and they want to see a real home. I got scolded for making ours too picture-perfect, actually.

I think the home visit is more about seeing you with your kids, in your home environment, and seeing that you live in a safe home (meaning, you're not someone who lives in a way that indicates other mental or health issues). Relax, pick up and clean a little, and be confident that the social worker REALLY DOES want to see your everyday life.