[frida_94601]

Hello,

Just wanted to ask the following, how did you prepare for child/children arrival? What arrangements did you make prior?
I have a reall good feeling this second time around, working with a new agency. I was told that the classes where from 9 classes now I am told 4!!! The county that I am in seems to be very motivated in c0n-current planning and adoption. I did not know we had really good programs as well for potential parents that are interested in infants and toddlers. I am so excited, I was reading through the requirments and excited to say that I have 90% of what is needed to be licensed. I know I have a few months to prepare. I qualify for FMLA which is such a big plus. But as a parent, I need to know how did you make the transition smoother? I have a preteen daughter who just turned 12, she is willing to share her room, but just in case it does not work out I have a spare room, any advise?
Thanks,

[twinflana]

I would use the spare bedroom for the foster child. I would get the essentials ready. ie toothbrush,toothpaste, comb, brush, bed, bedding, enough clothing for a day, stuffed animal, toys, sipper cup if doing toddlers, bottles if doing infants. A few diapers and diaper wipes.

[deidra_mitchell00]

Definately depends on the age of the children you could get. I think you should put the foster child in their own room if you have the space and then as the girls get use to each other they can share or just hang in one anothers room. Have the essentials but also let them go with you to get some things that they may need, they will come to you with little to nothing. Good luck

[swanzie]

I agree with the pp. It really depends on the age you are looking for. I personally would use the spare room as the room for any and all foster children. The reason is thta you won't know all the information about their background and it is easier to be safe than sorry.

We just had the rooms VERY basic when we started. Bed - night stand, lamp, and set of drawers and hangers in the closet. When we got our two - they chose the room they wanted and then we went out and picked out a bed in the bag - along with shopping for everything - they came with only the clothes on their back. It was alot of shopping that first weekend with them - but at least they felt like the stuff was theirs not like they were visiting. Once I knew they were staying for awhile - we decorated and painted the rooms..but we also had a spare room they could sleep in while the decorating was being done.

[frida_94601]

Hello, I never took the spare bedroom in mind!!! Can any one tell me if I need to have the room ready before my homevisit? I had initialy thought that the girls might want to share thier room? I bought a loft bed any suggestions? The age group is from 2-7.
Thanks all your help. (my daughter will sleep in top bunk. I also have a spare if it does not work out.
Lillian