[Guitarmom]

We are waiting on several possible matches .. but we haven't heard anything at all from our adoption worker for 6 weeks.
I'm looking for any excuse to contact her - just to remind her we are still here... waiting!
I don't want to be a pest, though.
Just wondering if this is normal- and do you contact your worker if you don't hear anything for awhile?

[Sunshinemom]

I was never good about contacting my worker. Like you I didn't want to be a pest. I have a friend who is a Social Worker in another state and she told me to contact them often. Her attitude was "the squeaky wheel gets the grease". She said the adoption workers in her office would often just say "let's give ..... the next baby we get so they will stop calling".

I would think after six weeks you wouldn't be pestering anyone, you have a legitimate reason to call since you are being considered for a few placemets.

Good luck!

[Mkuhlmann06]

I would definitely call. Even if to ask if there's anything you can do, anything that needs to be updated, maybe ask her to reclarify the process or her role right now or how she goes about matching... If I were you I'd call at least once every two weeks. Mix up the day/time... but just keep checking in.

[arkansas parent]

When our homestudy was approved I sent letters to every Adoption Specialist in our state. I told them a little about our family and what age of child we wanted to adopt. I got calls about 3 different children before we where placed in the system. We met our son 2weeks later. You might want to try doing that.

[rsbg]

i would say make contact at least every 2 weeks. every day is being a pest, but every week or 2 weeks is just a "hi, how are you? don't forget about us". i would think it would also help them see you are still interested.

[zebramom]

Remember, you are thinking about your case, and they are thinking of a bunch more. Nothing wrong with reminding them that you are still there. 6 weeks is a long time to go without contact.

[Guitarmom]

I emailed her,and she said our study was sent in for several kids,and no decisions will be made until at least mid . February. At least I know she's not forgotten about us!

[loomistunes]

CALL CALL CALL!!! I was the squeeky wheel and I have adopted 2 children through foster care when they were infants!! CALL CALL!! Show your commintment.. You are excitted there is nothing wrong with that!! So what are you waiting for.. Go and dial that phone.. lol Good Luck!

[JewelMarie]

I call my worker once a week. If I am busy, then I email. Last week I emailed her instead of calling, so I will likely call this week.

[Guitarmom]

Every time I call or email, our worker seems to have a standard reply "no news yet, if anything changes I'll let you know. Keep checking the website for kids you are interested in".. blah blah blah. the website is NEVER up to date - it's so frustrating!

[Boulderbabe]

It happens. Workers are overloaded. Just keep calling. It's important to be friendly and pleasant, but keep yourself on the tip of the SW's brain, if you know what I mean!

[tddjc]

I email or call,mostly email, about every week or 2. Sometimes it's just an email on a friday labeled "friday shout out - just wanted to say Hi and remind you that we're here. and please let us know if they get any new info. I agree that since they have so many families that you have to be a bit of a squeeky wheel so they remember you. Sometimes I'll just email them the latest family picture.

[jodybird511]

I agree, too, with other posters about being the squeaky wheel. Looking back, I realize that I was probably such a pest, but that is what I needed to do for my own emotional health. I needed the peace of mind of knowing that I was doing everything I could to get a placement...to know for sure that I wasn't getting lost in the shuffle. I emailed my worker at least once a week--often more than that. She probably wanted to strangle me!

[JewelMarie]

You made me laugh. It is reassuring to know that I am not the only one pesting my worker.

The weeks I don't feel the need to get an answer, then I just email. The weeks I feel like hearing something, even if it is no, then I call and chat with her friendly and sometimes she will just come out and answer the burning question before I ask.

Checking in is good. Last Friday I sent and email check in and it was light and friendly, talking about decorating, etc. So the next time that I am on the phone with her, then it will give her something to talk to me about.

Keep it light and sweet.

Jewel

[Boulderbabe]

I think you should pester the heck out of your worker before you get a placement. It gets them used to it for when you pester the heck out them to get services, court documents, and case updates! :-)

We're foster parents. It's our JOB to hassle the social workers in the interests of our kids!