[afolc]

Okay, after a lot of discussion my husband and I have decided to become foster parents. We've already picked an agency and know when our classes will start. We are planning to foster 0-7 year olds. I'm very much a planner, and like to be as prepared as possible. Don't get me wrong, we have 2 bio kids (7 & 10), so I know you can never be totally prepared. Here are my questions for all of you.

For your homestudy did you have to have cabinet locks on the doors and drawers in the kitchen and bathrooms?

Should I start picking any thing up before a child is placed with us?

Is it okay in the state of Michigan to use "hand-me-downs"? I have friends with tons of baby & toddler clothes they don't plan to use again.

Thanks for the info.

[foster_bub]

Hi, I'm not from MI but I would assume hand me downs would be perfectly OK. My wife hit church sales and thrift shops and loaded up on clothes for ages 0-5 so you should be ok. We didn't have to lock the doors on all the cabinets and doors either. You just have to make sure knives are up high and out of reach and chemicals have to be locked up. Good luck!

[AmahMama]

My advice would be to get a list from your agency and have whatever done before the 1st home visit. That way there is nothing on the list for when they come back. It seems like they like to people to be real anxious and nervous of them.

I take children from 0 to 4 and have an "emergency" bin for each size. Whatever I have that does not fit in the bin goes with the child when they leave. The children here rarely come with anything at all. So, I make sure I have pj's, socks, scivvies, a jacket, sweater, shorts, long pants and approx size shoes and sandals. Sandals will always work until you can get shoes that fit. I've had only 2 children with the proper size shoes on. Most have either a size to small or 2 sizes to big when they arrive. I've even had children carried in barefoot. I keep lots of receiving blankets (toddlers like them for "Lovies" that they can carry around) and invest in new fleece blankets when they are on sale for them also. I also have a variety of bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, baby shampoos (some really do have allergies), and I keep tegrin (scalp issues) and head lice remover, and benedryl cream. in stock - just in case. I also keep sensitive skin baby soap and lots of childrens bubble bath for the long bath that some need.

We are a shelter home and receive littles that are just coming into care and generally know nothing about them, they've not usually been examined for "critters" - and some have been in care awhile and still need "drastic measures". I just keep "stuff" so that I am prepared - and unfortunately - I've found the need to us it.

COngrats and good luck. THe children will benefit mroe than you will ever know!!