[Denvernurse]

Next week my husband and I have our first HS. I was wondering if I should sit out some cookies or something like that? Any tips for us would be great!

My husband and I are number one on our agency's list. We just need are HS's done and our prints back! I can't wait to get our referral! Amanda

[jessibird]

I was wondering that too as we will be doing our in the next month or so. I don't want to seem over the top, but not rude either...

[babyhope07]

I don't think that there is any real "protocol", but we did put out a small spread of baked (by the bakery, not me!) goods and offered coffee, tea and water. It was appreciated by our social worker. If your appointment is later in the day, maybe some cheese and grapes? It does sort of feel like a social visit and having food does help it feel more relaxed!
Good luck!

[Hopeful_Jen]

I've got one tomorrow for our new agency. I've had several due to our first adoption, and they are really quick and easy!

I haven't put out food. I always feel uncomfortable when I don't like something put out for me and I feel like I need to eat it. But, I do try to make sure I have lots of varieties of beverages available. In my experience, they normally will only ask for water.

I don't think it matters whether or not you have something to munch on. If you are the kind that enjoys baking or feeding others, go ahead and have something that you can offer. Otherwise, just make sure you have something to offer them to drink and you will be fine.

Wow, #1 at your agency. That sounds great! May your homestudy go quickly and that referral come very soon!

[Denvernurse]

Thank you both for the input! That helps me out a lot with what I need to do.

Yeah, were number one. We actually have been for a few months now number 1 but we placed ourselves on hold. We placed ourselves on hold for a few reasons due to finishing up school and such. Now my husband and I are both ready to add to our family! I will keep everybody here posted. I am so nervous that Korea will say No for some reason. I don't know why they would but I am still nervous! Amanda

[hopeful2adopt]

First of all, don't be nervous. I remember being so nervous for mine and it really went fine. You could put out cookies or just offer something to drink...whatever feels comfortable. Ours was really just a meeting where we talked about our upbringing, answered questions together and separately, and she took a tour of our house. The house tour, which is what I was most nervous about, was really brief and no big deal. I cleaned for the homestudy like there was no tomorrow all because of the house tour. Our SW explained to us that they didn't need to see anything for the baby specifically just that we had adequate room for a baby. I hope it all goes well for you.

[Denvernurse]

OK! So that is good to know. I wasn't sure if they took a tour of our home or not. Not that I haven't already started to clean like crazy. I feel like a am starting to nest already! Thanks so much for all the advice here. I am sure I will post to tell everybody how it went! Amanda

[jessibird]

I have started cleaning too and our final visit/home-study won't be until mid april! I thought if I takle one room at a time (started with the laundry room) that it won't seem so overwhelming. Our house is clean, just cluttered in some rooms-ie. laundry room. I have had to do home-visits of my preschool families-no wonder they are nervous and want to know "why" when I set up the initial visit. It is hard to have someone come into your home knowing that they are "looking" at it.

[Denvernurse]

Update!
We had our HS. Everything went great! At least I am thinking it did. I bought some bottled water and was so nervous that I forgot to even offer water to our social worker. Since we are number one on the list they are trying to get our homestudy's done fast. We are anticipating a refferal within the next month! I am starting to freak out with excitiment! Thank you all for the tips. Amanda

[hopeful2adopt]

Oh Amanda...I am so happy that it went well. I can't wait to hear about your referral when it comes and I hope it is quickly!

[sak9645]

It is always polite to set out some foods and drinks appropriate to the time of day, but NEVER alcoholic beverages, even for an evening visit.

Don't plan to "serve" anything, as the social worker will want to spend the time talking with you, not waiting for you to bring out food. But right before he/she is expected, you can make coffee, boil some water for tea, and put some food from the refrigerator on the dining table or coffee table, along with cups, plates, and silverware.

If the social worker is coming in the morning, a few nice breakfast pastries or some bagels, fresh fruit, and coffee or tea might be set out on the table, possibly with some garden flowers in a vase nearby.

If the social worker is coming at lunch time, you might want to put out a few sandwich "fixings", like bread, cheese, tuna or egg salad, lunch meat, lettuce and tomato, etc., with appropriate condiments, some chips, and some canned soft drinks or bottled water. Again, things will look very dressy, even without serving fancy foods, if you put out some flowers from your garden or use attractive dishes.

You can do the same things if the social worker is coming in the evening. Do not expect the social worker to accept an invitation to have dinner with you, in most cases, but have some light, already-prepared foods set out. Cold foods like lunch foods are fine, or you can put out a few things that you might serve as hors d'euvres.

Keep the offerings modest. Remember that some social workers do NOT believe that it is proper to accept food from a person whose homestudy they are doing, so they may not eat anything. Others, who may not have these scruples, may be dieting, coming from a meeting where food was served, or observing religious or medical restrictions, so they may not be able to partake.

My social worker came in the morning. She had been to several appointments in a row, starting at a very early hour, so she was hungry. She was very pleased to have access to fruit, tea, and pastries. However, since she was watching her weight, she ate only a small amount.

Sharon