[beachykeen]

Our visit is on Monday!

Thanks,

Marcy

[Pipercub]

Don't feel like you have to have all the "answers." If they ask you something, be it about discipline or having an inter-racial family or how to teach your child about the culture in Guatemala or whatever - and you don't really know what to say, go ahead and ASK them questions. "I'm so glad you brought this up. My husband and I were talking about this and we're not really sure how to approach this. Can you give us some ideas?....." Good social workers like to know that you are open to learn and they do NOT expect you to have everything worked out in your head. Plus, at least for me personally, I learned SO much from our social worker. She'd been doing this for years and had some really terrific ideas for us to consider as our daughter grows up.

Most of all relax. They'll look around your house all of a couple minutes (not look in closets or anything like that). Most of the time is just spent talking - and when you're done you'll likely echo what most of said when we were done "That's it???!!!!" LOL Have fun! <3

[TerriBB]

Don't freak out! Treat her as a friend who is coming to visit. Ours came in the morning, I made coffee & picked up a few breakfast rolls at the bakery. Our house was clean - but I didn't have time to spit shine !

[Sandy Harboe]

Be yourself. Don't worry about anything, and don't try to over answer. Everything will be just fine.

[ej-momtobe]

Don't stress. Do a normal weekly cleaning, they are not going to come over with a white glove looking for dust. Be able to articulate the changes that will be made to your house to accomodate the child.

Don't offer the social worker alcohol. I offered my social worker wine, beer, soda or water with her pizza. In hindsight I wish I had not offered wine or beer.

[coatess1]

Relax you will be fine.

[Larue]

As everyone has said - just be yourself and relax! Oh, and don't hide the wine bottles under the bed

[PetDragon]

Has everyone said relax yet?

I haven't gotten to my in home inspection yet, but I'm nervous! Our health inspector comes by on Wednesday but I'm not really nervous about that visit. The SW one scares me to death!

If your nerves are winning I say bake something yummy! Coffee cake and a pot of coffee perhaps? It might not make you feel less nervous but at least it will keep your hands busy for a bit before she arrives! Plus you'll have something yummy to offer her and a wonderful scent added to your home.

[starryeyes]

Definitely relax, and don't bother cleaning like she is going to want to look in all of your closets, etc. I was very disappointed my SW did not want to see the closets after I had them all perfect.

Be yourself, have the house cleaned like company is coming over (mostly the common areas and maybe the baby's bedroom, although ours was under construction at the time), and have a fire extinguisher and a plan in the home. It was not bad at all!

Good luck!

[KKR213]

As the others said, just relax and be yourself. They are just trying to get a feel of you at home and to make sure your home is a safe and loving place for a child. It doesn't need to be perfect though we all go nuts housecleaning for it! My interview lasted an hour and she looked at all the rooms and asked questions about the area. And if you have pets, they will want to meet them as well.

[beachykeen]

Thanks so much for the tips! I started another thread, but I forgot to ask what kind of questions we can expect to be asked! My husband and I want to make sure that we are on the same page BEFORE she gets here. We have two dogs as well, I am hoping that they will behave.

[Mariais5]

We are on our sixth adoption, so we've had quite a few homestudies. Believe me, they are not a big deal! The SW mainly wants to talk. They ask why you want to adopt, how is your marital relationship, what is your relationship with your extended family, how are your finances, how do you feel about raising a child of another race, etc..

She'll take a little tour of your home too. The SW that interviewed us for our last two adoptions was awesome. She felt like our kid sister by the time she left. Relax and offer her a coke or bottled water!

By the way, I'm a Marcy too.. I have seen so many Marcys on the forum... What's up with that??

[Julaine]

I have heard that that is a good idea to bake something and have homemade bake smells anytime you have any one over who might make you nervous ! Since my home study will probably be mid morning a coffee cake maybe a nice idea !
I have my fire inspection on Monday and I am more nervous about that !