[keyla]

Recently, (like last night) my husband and I completed our homestudy process and are waiting to be licensed. We specifically requested that we be licensed to foster/adopt an infant.

Being that we have no children, I am curious to how I should start preparing my home. I'm a bit cautious about going overboard and doing and all out nursery until the little one arrives (call it nerves). But I would be remissed if I didn't at least start preparing (i.e. lotion, wipes, etc...) So, if any of you could offer some advice on "need to have" items, that would be great. Again we are interested in an infant (0-1 year).

Thanks!
~k

[Bug-n-Bears-Mommy]

I would at the very least get basics set up...crib, changing table, etc. We had the nursery together with a neutral theme. Although we REALLY wanted a boy, we would accept either. We had bot a crib and a toddler bed in case we were to be called for a sib set. I was happy that we did because everything was ready to welcome Bug hime. I didn't worry about clothes...besides I was practically greeted at my door by every family member who had been waiting for us to get the call...gifts in hand.

When Bear came, we scrambled the night before he came because we suddenly had to get a crib. That was the only thing we really needed. We still had the infant car seat...also a MUST. How else are you going to bring the little one home? We were up half the night before setting up the nursery to accomodate the second crib.

You just never know when that call is going to come...and you can never be TOO prepared. I darn near drove off the road when I got the call. Hello! You gotta warn parents before you hit someone who has wanted to be a mommy SO bad with these things. I was SO elated that I don't think I could have gotten everything together. I also think our licensor liked seeing the environment that the child would be living in.

[leaabc123]

The basics of a crib, stroller, umbrella stroller, mobile for crib, bed sheets, baby wipes, diaper bag, bottles, a swing, car seat, baby bath tub, nail clipper, thermoter, baby lotion, baby soap/ shampoo, diaper ointment, infant tylenol.

These are all things, you can get/ stock up on. I would also have cash or a credit card set aside for things like diapers and clothes since you won't know what size the baby is.

If there is a freecycle group in your area (check out www.freecycle.org), then you can ask for baby clothes there as well. That is what I did when getting our first placements. We now have an assortment of clothes in storage that range from newborn to 18 months, for both boys and girls.

[keyla]

Ladies,

Thanks for your responses. I will start my list today. I guess my biggest fear is that I will keep walking into an empty nursery day after day, month after month until we get a placement and well ... I'll have an emotional breakdown.

Additionally, I suppose I am dealing with the fear of being too presumptious. *sigh* I need a chocolate break

By the way, how have you guys handled showers and gifts? I have asked my family to refrain from throwing a shower only because I am not sure what the circumstances will or won't be. Will the baby be a long-term or short term placement? I pray it will be forever, but I recognize that sometimes going back to the bfamily may be in the baby's best interest. After seven years of desiring to parent and the reality just around the corner, I guess I am just a little gun shy.

Forgive me, I know I am rambling, but honestly this has been a great medium in which to express my thoughts. So thanks for listening.

~k

[leaabc123]

If family/ friends really want to help, tell them to purchase gift cards that you can use as needed.

Also, keep in mind that you may have a longer wait due to tha fact that many infants have older siblings and they try not to separate siblings.

We waited about 4 months for our first placement. And, obviously, no guarantees. We have sent 3 infants home and are currently fostering 2 legal risk siblings under the age of 3.

Think about whether you guys can accept an older child, say 2 or 3 and whether you have the room/ abilities to do a sibling set (for example an infant up to 12 months and a toddler).

If you think you can be flexible, let your worker know and go from there.

[keyla]

leaabc123 ...

Great thoughts. Actually we are aware that we may be posed with being placed with a sibling group, and we are open ... to a degree. In fact, this week a 3 month and 1 year old sibling group became available, but the agency had a difficult time trying to place them, and of course our paperwork and licensing wasn't complete. She asked if we would have been interested in that placement, and of course we said yes.

Beyond that the cw seems to be hopeful (at least through her agency) that infants should be easy to place. They seem to get a lot of drug exposed babies whose mom's tend to jump ship at the hospital.

~k