[aspenhall]

We are just waiting for the homestudy appointment to be set, but I am in the process of remodeling, we are doing almost everything ourselves. I didn't want to carpet until the whole house was remodeled as I would just have to rip it out and re-do it later, I have pad cut to fit and various carpet remnants laid out, but nothing is stretched or taped. Will this affect my homestudy? Also I don't have cabinet doors in my bathroom yet, but medication is kept above 6 ft high in the cabinet, and cleaners are in my laundry room in cabinets above 5 ft.

I also have a bedroom that we use as a makeshift kitchen for now. There isn't an oven or range or sink, but we have electric skillets, microwave, fridge, and counters. Will this make a difference?

The o

[DianaPrince]

I am in the process of putting up a new fence around my backyard which I am doing myself (with the help of friends) and as such have 1) a half good fence/half cruddy fence situation going on and 2) a stack of cruddy fence remnants which I am hauling away one load at a time. I have put off beginning my home study for a very long time, but have come to the realization that something is always going to be in the process of being repaired or updated in this hundred-year-old house. Any advice on what is acceptable to the average case worker as far as this type of situation would be greatly appreciated.

--Valerie

[BabsCanada]

I don't know how homestudies are carried out where you are but here I know I just worried WAY too much ...

I am far from a perfect housekeeper and even with advance notice of worker's visit, I am sure she could have found dust bunnies and whatever else. I remember my major concern being our 2 large and rather untrained dogs, who were our 'babies' but maybe wouldn't make such a huge impression on an adoption worker ... as it turned out, our house was fine, even in its imperfect and unchildproofed state, and the dogs were only an example of our loving natures, to the point that we were chosen by a birthmother who really wanted this child to be raised in a family with pets ...

You have to be yourself. If your fence is only halfway done and your kitchen is in a bedroom, you only need to demonstrate that you are in the process of upgrading your home for your future family ... don't sweat the small stuff ... your personality and your desire for a child and your ability to create a family are the BIG STUFF ...

Believe me, I really was sweating bullets throughout the home study, it seems like such a big deal and you want to make a good impression ... but assuming you are in adoption for all the right reasons, your fence and your kitchen and your carpet don't matter. Be yourself. Be honest.

Good luck!

Babs