[Sam-N-Tony]

Okay, I'm running around cleaning the house getting ready for the Mr. Touchy's and Mr. Peabody's Co-Birthday Party. I had been cleaning since 10am and it was around 2:30p and the party was to start in 30 minutes (not that anyone came or even showed up on time). My husband asks me whose car is that in the driveway, I said "I don't know", he says that looks like Mr. Touchy's caseworker. I looked again and let a few foul words come out.

Why did she come to my house on a Saturday at 230p. This is the second time that she has come to my house unannounced on a Saturday, the first time was a couple of months ago at 845a. I was still in my PJ's and hadn't even finished my coffee . That day when I opened the door, I said can I at least put a bra on. I guess she didn't get my sarcasm. This time when I opened the door, I said "I would be lieing if I said I'm glad to see you". I didn't say anything else to her, let her do her home visit, but that really urked me, beyond urked, it p*&%ed me off.

I have a really good relationship with her and she's a great CW, lacks personality but still a great CW, and is really by the book. She could of at least called me at said hey I'm in the neighborhood, can I stop by to do my home visit. I know it's supposed to be unannounced but after a year, I really don't think its necessary. All my other CW at least call me and see if it's okay or give me a 15 minutes heads up. What if I had been doing the nasty , would they expect me to open the door.

Aren't I entitled to have the weekend for myself without having to worry about a cw coming to my house. They can come whenever they want Monday through Friday, but the weekend is MINE.

[jeni-b]

I can't believe she'd WANT to come on the weekend. Talk about no life!
I'm glad we don't have to deal with a CW like that. Sorry you had a dark spot in your weekend.

[MamaS]

You missed a great chance there! Next time, open the door, say "Oh, wonderful, you came early! Would you just finish (dishing up the ice cream, drying the silverware, etc.) while I get the boys dressed. We are putting all the gifts on the table in the den. Just answer the door if the bell rings, will ya?" And then disappear into the bedroom. I bet she won't come back again without calling.
P.S. Did she at least bring them a gift?

[Boulderbabe]

That's a lot of gall that woman has.

I think that one of the reasons that we have such a shortage of foster parents is that the CWs treat our homes as "facilities." The notion that we are human beings who deserve some social courtesies is just beyond them.

If I had a CW come by unannounced, I'd say "I'm sorry, now isn't a good time. You can call me on Monday for an appointment."

[potentialsinglemom]

My friend was telling me that she had a new and untrained CW showed up after 8pm on a school night. She said her husband was in bed and the cw demanded that he get out of bed so she could see his face. She even went through the refrigerator, freezer and pantry and looked at expiration dates on the food. She insisted that she talk to each of the children, two 6 yrs old and two daycare aged children. Needless to say the woman left their home after 10pm.

They called the lead cw after the untrained one left the house and went completely off.

[Gentin]

I must be lucky - my CW calls and sets up the times for her monthly visits. She does not come unannounced ever. I think I would say something if they showed up on a saturday like that!!!

[Sam-N-Tony]

I had previously mentioned to my other CW about her coming by on the weekend. They were shocked.

Like I said she is a great CW, does everything she is supposed to and is very very by the book. My husband cannot stand her and this even sent him even ino a deeper dislike for her.

No, she didn't bring a gift because she didn't know I was having a birthday party. Had she called, I could of told her to bring a gift for the boys, maybe she wouldn't of shown up.

I'm going to send her an email on Monday. Basically, telling her I would really prefer that she does her monthly visits during the week and that the weekend is our family time and do not want any disruptions. Hopefully she'll get the picture, I really don't want go to her supervisor.

All of my other caseworkers just give me a call ahead of time, to make sure that I will be home. Oh, I forgot to mention that I am in a completely different county. Though my county and hers is only about 15 minutes apart, but my house is not in direction at all. I don't get it, GET A LIFE.

[greenrobin]

Jeepers. Our "unannounced" visits are preceded by a letter that says, "You are scheduled to have your unannounced visit on ________. If you can't be there, then we will have to make an unannounced visit on another time." I'm not kidding!

Catching us without an appointment is an exercise in futility. Maybe that's why they never have!

We've recently had a change of cws and the one from the state called last week to set up a Saturday appointment. So sorry, we're in training that day. Monday is out because I'm in school, Tuesday is soccer practice, Wednesday church, Thursday more soccer practice, Friday is visit night (if there was a clean UA), Saturday is training and Sunday is church again. So, if you want to see the kids, I can squeeze you in at _________.


Lucky for us there was a good squeeze in time!

[craftingmama]

what happens if she stops by and no one is home?

[hunterfamily]

When you took your MAPP class didn't they explain that the CM is allowed to do this? Did they tell you that your life is not yours anymore and that you have opened the door to CM,GAL's and other workers to come to your home unannounced. Please remember, these are not your children, they are children in the care of the state, and the state has given some of these people full access to these children to insure they stay safe. It is that CM's butt on the line if something goes wrong in your home and she didn't see it. Give her a break and try working with her, and understand she has a job to do, some do it different then others, but neither way is wrong. I work in the system in florida and I know lots of CM's that work on the weekends. They are some of the better CM's because they really care about the children.

[AmahMama]

I've had cw's show up at all times of the day and night. I don't get upset....but I don't do anything to make them welcome either. If they show while I'm fixing dinner - I go right on doing it. After a visit or 2 this way - they have tended to ask when a good time is - and I always have an answer ready..... They have their responsibilities - I know that - and I have my life. I have opted to SHARE my life and home with children who are in need of a home - it was/is a choice that I make and when I have to be owned - they will need to find another place for these babies.

Sorry, but they will do as they please as long as they can. If you set your limitations, I've found that most will try hard to work within them. I don't expect appointments as much as I expect consideration.

[potentialsinglemom]

Originally Posted by hunterfamily

When you took your MAPP class didn't they explain that the CM is allowed to do this? Did they tell you that your life is not yours anymore and that you have opened the door to CM,GAL's and other workers to come to your home unannounced. Please remember, these are not your children, they are children in the care of the state, and the state has given some of these people full access to these children to insure they stay safe. It is that CM's butt on the line if something goes wrong in your home and she didn't see it. Give her a break and try working with her, and understand she has a job to do, some do it different then others, but neither way is wrong. I work in the system in florida and I know lots of CM's that work on the weekends. They are some of the better CM's because they really care about the children.

LOL!!! I was just about to post that during my homestudy last month, my CW told me to be aware for the end of the month CPS CM rush. She said they will wait to the last minute and try to do all their visits and will try to write you up for missing an unannounce appointment. She said they will call the private agency while they are outside your home and complain that you are not available. She said it is usually the same CM calling over and over again so they do not take it seriously.

[karla-k]

hmmm, and we wonder why there "might" be a shortage of perople willing to foster. I do not foster, and I sure wouldn't agree to this sort of thing.

showing up after a normal kid bedtime (8 pm) is very unprofessional.

you could give 15 minutes notice, like PP said, "Hey, I'm in the neighborhood could I swing by?" and accomplish the same purpose as a surprise visit. if you are an awful parent and your home is not safe, you probably can't fix those things in 15 minutes.

karla

[jp4ga]

We had a CASA like that one time. She would show up after church on sunday, while we were still having family dinner. She would insist on talking with the child in another room by himself (which is what she was supose to do). She would not even let him finish his dinner. She would also call on Saturday mornings, and make us cancel plans for the day that we had, had for weeks in advance. We had no choice, those are the rules here. We finally complained and she got upset and quit when she was told that she should not insist that we cancel plans to fit her schedule.

Sometimes people just don't think.

[EZ2Luv]

Maybe if these CWs put that much energy into checking bios that were RU or fc that were sent to relatives, there would be less children that died at the hands of their families.
I am still reeling over that little boy that was starved to death.
I agree though, it is their job, but a 15 minute heads up would be nice.

EZ