[Nichole98]

Our Social worker is coming tomorrow for our first homestudy. Should I have pastry or something to offer her?? She is coming at 6 p.m. Thanks!

[overflowing]

Nichole,
That is a very sweet idea.

congratulations on beginning your hs...how exciting!!!

-stacy

[happynifer]

we did not do anything special at all (heck we honestly didn't even do any last minute cleaning). our SW was just interested in talking and we sat around the dining room table for 2 hours before taking a 5 min tour of the house...

[Happy2Bhere]

We've had the same social worker for the pre & post adoption visits for our first adoption, and now this second adoption. For all the visits (total of 8 so far) she hasn't accepted anything to eat or drink.
I did thoroughly clean at first, but then realized- this is the real life- and she only toured the house so quickly- cleaning really didn't matter.
Our social worker was great! I couldn't hardly breathe the first time- I was so nervous, but she quickly put us at ease.
Just remember, she's on your side :-)
Good luck!
Melissa

[journeytograce]

Nichole,
Congrats on starting the HS! If your SW is anything like ours (and the countless others I have read about), it will go super smoothly, and she will not be looking too closely at the house. Our SW sat in our living room, and went into the open kitchen to get a cup of coffee, refused any b'fast items we had, and briefly on her way out looked into the nursery (that was set up for my youngest). The only thing she commented on was she liked the decor, and she was off! It was so painless we were SHOCKED! We had scrubbed and cleaned and polished every surface of our house, and she only looked into that one room!
Best to you on this part of the journey. Looking back the SW visits were my favorite part. To talk about our DD and adoption for hours was wonderful!
Take Care, and please let us know how it all goes.

[drmalcolm]

Hi Nichole! Ditto what everyone has said... you'll do fine and will probably be really surprised at how much fun it is. We gave a tour, but it was a stand-in-the-doorway kind of tour where she just sort of peered into each room. I really think they should rename "homestudy" to "family study," since that's more of what it is... although there are a LOT of super-clean homes as a result!

As far as food is concerned, do whatever you feel comfortable doing so that you can relax during the interview and not be riddled with questions of "should I have/not have offered something?" I'm a big believer in just going with your gut.

Our SW also came around dinner time--I think it was 5, 5:30 PM. We offered coffee, she just asked for water. I suspect that when they have appointments at this time, they might grab a quick bite on the way to your house.

By any chance is Henrietta your SW?

Best of luck!
Christina

[Nichole98]

Thanks everyone!! I was so preoccupied I barely slept last night. Im sure it will be painless but I'll be happy when all of this is over.

Christina...Our SW is Pamela. From talking to her on the phone she seems really sweet!

[drmalcolm]

I'll be thinking of you! Let us know how it all goes!
Christina

[Nichole98]

Our SW called...she has a stomache flu and will not be able to come. She felt so bad and apologized many times. We told her not to worry and to feel better but at the same time my heart just sank. She said she will call in a day or 2 to reschedule. She also said that she was already working on other parts of our homestudy.

[morsedonna]

Oh I am so sorry Nichole, I am sure you finally had yourself ready and she cancelled.
Everyone else is right it was much easier than I thought. It was just basically a conversation about us. My dog even bit the SW on her first visit right after she walked in the door. We still passed

[SanRN]

Congratulations and good luck. I think cheese and crackers would be nice, thats what I did. Ours came at 5p.
Good Luck and don't be nervous!!

[SanRN]

Sorry, just read your latest post. Im sure she'll be by this week at some time!

[Nichole98]

Our SW just called she is coming on Sunday and Monday. She said she hopes to have our homestudy written up by Friday! This seems fast to me!

[Nichole98]

Our homestudy was a breeze!! I really stresed over nothing. It was like sitting ans talking to a friend. She is coming today for our final visit. Im also meeting DH today to get fingerprinted!! 2 years ago today my DH rolled his truck 5 times on a highway...he should'nt be here today according to paramedics! Today is a much better day!!