[sandysis]

I've finished my PRIDE classes and am about to have a homestudy then licensing board comes out. With 4 kids, two big hairy dogs and an active house, how clean does the place need to be? I mean, I straighten and will obviously straighten before DYFS comes, but is utter cleanliness required? Will they look in closets? Yikes, that scares me...

sandysis

[kikismom]

They never looked in my closets....thank god!!!! my house is lived in... I hate cleaning!

[arubagirl]

Just make it like you would if you were having company over.... Not to clean as it needs to look lived in

[sandysis]

Originally Posted by arubagirl

Not to clean as it needs to look lived in

That will not be a problem!

[chickie1221]

Mother-in-Law clean. Don't sweat the homestudy, and ask the worker for suggestions. Try labelled baskets or bins for can't-eliminate-it clutter. Makes you look super organized. The neater and more organized you appear, the less likely the inspector will rummage in your closets. Just make sure if she opens a closet or cabinet, nothing falls out, and you've tossed (or hidden in your car trunk!) old prescriptions, out-dated cough syrup, etc. Hit kitchen and bathrooms the hardest, and make them sparkle (that mother-in-law test). Eliminate obvious safety hazards (medications, cleaning chemicals, etc.), make the beds, and vacuum the dog hair off the rugs and sofa before she comes.

[irelady10]

I just had my annual visit by the OOL, and the lady was very nice. We had a nice chat about parenting! She didn't open any of my drawers; they do ask to look in your refrigerator and freezer and will check your water temperature in your kitchen and/or bath (it should be between 120-140 degrees). One thing that surprised me with my 1st visit from OOL was all the questions they asked- questions about discipline techniques, meals, laundering habits, how you would spend the kid's subsidy, etc.

Good luck!!

BTW- my home was clean, but with a toddler, there were toys on the floor and my son emptied the pots and pans cabinet during the interview and the inspector had to manuever herself through an obstacle course when she checked out the kitchen.

[sandysis]

oooh, good suggestions! Thanks.