[hoping4baby83]

So tonight was the first visit in our home with a woman from the agency that we are going through and Im kind of freaking out. My dh was married before and not yet divorced when we got together. Obviously because of our timeline, there was no getting around talking about this and I am just really hoping that this doesnt have a horrible affect on our chances at becoming foster parents. The only other issue is the fact that our basement doesnt have any windows that open which means we will most likely have to have one installed( fantastic! Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this...

[going2bparents]

Yep. Don't worry about it! It doesn't affect what kind of people you are, or parents you are! About your basement, can you just lock the door and keep everyone out? I don't know anything about basements. But don't worry about your relationship! It is just fine.

[RGV_Foster]

It should not have any affect on you becoming licensing unless the agency for some reason thinks that you both being together before your husband got divorced will affect the way you parent! It doesnt mean you are bad people! I wouldnt worry about a thing!!

Sorry to hear about your basement, hope it isnt too costly to fix.

[skyberry]

I've got a bit of a sordid past -- was separated, but seeing my now husband, got preggers before divorced finalized... All kinds of drama! This was about 14 years ago. We're licensed and with a placement and on our way towards adoption. You're fine! Don't worry!

[hoping4baby83]

Thanks so much for the reassuring! I am feeling better already! The basement window may cost anywhere from 4 to 8 thousand dollars unless we can get a grant to help. Even @ 4 it would be alittle more than we have lying around right now. I will for sure spend the night praying about this!

[Fostermom22]

Good luck and keep us posted! It may be that the basement is fine if there is no living space down there

[TemporaryMom]

Why do you need an egress window in the basement? Is it a living space? If not, and just mostly storage like mine, I don't see how they can require you to put one in. That would really bite! While my windows do open in my basement, they are not egress windows. In fact, I don't even recall if they checked my basement. I'd not finish it off without putting in an egress window though for safety.

As for the DH stuff, that has nothing to do with your ability to be a good parent, goodness, if they pick at that, they need an attitude adjustment.

Good luck on the window. Call around, the economy is so bad a lot of the window places here are doing 2+ years with no finance charge. What an expensive way to become a foster parent, and to think people think we do this for the money.

[Mixed Nuts]

Our office, laundry and the big playroom are all in the basement. I had to bust out a new glass block window (which was actually fun), and bought a new replacement window at Home Depot for $125. If you measure accurately, it really is something you can do yourself. I made sure to do it towards the back yard along the dog run, where its privacy fenced. No way anyone will brave that to try to get into the house. And likely no chance my kids would ever bother...its right next to the 5 steps to the back door. But it made the requirement for licensing.

And my daughters think mommy rocks for doing it without help LOL

[mythreesonsjmo]

in MI, if you plan on using the basement as living space you have to have an egress window. Otherwise it is not important. If you aren't going to allow the children in the basement there is no reason to put on one in. That might be the issue. Actually, in the orientation, they said if anybody was going to be spending time down there, like the dad said he had a woodshop in the basement so they had to put one in. However, if it was just storage or laundry they said it wasn't necessary.

[elk134]

Yes, don't worry about your marriage history! I started seeing my DH before I was technically divorced from my prior husband. (We had been separated for several years, but neither one of us could really afford a divorce at that time, and luckily we had no disagreements about custody/visitation issues of our son.)

And DH wasn't divorced yet from his prior wife either. His was a lot more recent though. But still, the person doing our home study asked about it and we explained it. They didn't even blink.

As for the basement window, I have no advice, but I sure hope it works out for you. Good Luck!

[wcurry66]

the lack of an egress window prevented us from being able to use the basement as another bedroom or play area, but it did not prevent us form fostering.

good luck!

[Kat-L]

Originally Posted by hoping4baby83

Thanks so much for the reassuring! I am feeling better already! The basement window may cost anywhere from 4 to 8 thousand dollars unless we can get a grant to help. Even @ 4 it would be alittle more than we have lying around right now. I will for sure spend the night praying about this!

If the basement isn't used for sleeping, you probably won't need a window. If a child is sleeping there, you'll definately need a window and a smoke detector.

Just remember, the caseworker WANTS to approve you. They go to your house with the intent of approving you for licensing. The focus is on making sure you are matched with the right types of children, the number of children who should be approved to be in your home at one time, and addressing safety issues (pool has fence, any guns are locked up..etc.) They only rule out people for serious reasons-usually criminal convictions or unsafe home.

[hoping4baby83]

After freaking out last night, I did do some reading in the literature which we recieved. I did see where it said that if the area was used as a living space we had to have a new window. It just doesnt seem to make sense if the children will not be playing down there. Dh does have his tools, pool table and weight machine down there and Im wondering if that is the reason for the window. I just dont see how they would think that we would let kids play around tools and a weight machine!