[ophelia72]

Ok, I scheduled my first Homestudy visit for next Saturday the 23rd. I have 20 million things I planned for this weekend and some I can not get out of, but I am planning to clean the entire house Monday! Plus the dog needs a hair cut so he looks presentable. Oh, by the way does anybody have dog and has gone thru this any pointers? Oh, god hyperventlating! Ok, one thing at a time, house, dog, organize. Cleaning supplies need to be out of reach and small object out of reach. I think some this is going to have to be done by the end of the homestudy you can't climb the mountain in a day. Or can you?
Having one of those moments and sharing.
Have a greta weekend everybody!

[GCS]

Deep breath!

You do not have to have your house baby proofed for your homestudy. You do need to discuss with your SW at the visit some of the things that need to be done in the way of baby proofing.

Most of the time will be spent sitting and talking, although there should be a walk through of the house and she will likely want to know which room will be the child's so she knows you are thinking about these things.

Most of us had fur babies before the real ones came home. I would ask in advance if the SW has allergies so you can let her know you have a dog. Be prepared to answer any questions about how you will introduce the dog to the child. Its also ok to ask her for advice if you are not sure. She doesn't expect you to have all the answers but she wants to know you are thinking ahead.

I would just make sure the house and dog are presentable. I baked a cobbler the morning of to have that good home baked smell in the house. She didn't eat any of it but we wolfed it down moments after she left!

Good luck!

[beckyww]

We don't have pets because I don't do maintenance items that don't call me "Mommy." I stressed about dust bunnies. Our SW couldn't have cared less. We bought some fire extinguisher that - after enough time tripping over - I finally threw away last year.

Our SW was way more concerned about who we were as opposed to how everything "looked."

Becky
The Woodworth Family in Beautiful San Antonio TX

[MamaChinch]

EVERYONE, I mean EVERYONE said don't worry about the homestudy visit........of course, we all freaked out the week heading into it!
So, we will all say the same thing.....relax, but you won't!
The main thing is in looking at the house is that it's safe, meaning, no frayed wiring, you have smoke detectors, if you have a pool, is it fenced. I even cleaned my garage and put locks on the cabinets with the garden weed eaters and paint. She looked around the house for about three seconds!!!! The baby's room was still a guest room and office.
I was crazy and booked my pschy appt. that morning so I could do it all in one day away from work...I was a mess, but the SW was so sweet and ate and drank the tea and bread I made and gave me a big hug when she left!
It really, really was okay!!!!!! They WANT to find all the good, so that's what they are looking for, they want to see a child come into a loving home ~ perfectly clean or not! (I think my house is still clean from how I cleaned it before the homestudy!)
YOU WILL BE FINE!!!! And you will only believe us after next Saturday! (I bought fire extinguishers, too!)
Thinking of you......

[Mykidsmom]

beckyww, I know the fire extinguishers expire, but are you saying you didn't replace them? Just asking, I thought this made a difference on your home insurance premium.

OP don't stress the homestudy, the big items are backyard pools and firearms. Show that you are handling those in a safe manner and you will be fine.

[beckyww]

Well, you know, Mykidsmom, if it does - I don't know it!

:-)

Becky
The Woodworth Family in Beautiful San Antonio TX

[~Ami~]

I just want to chime in and say relax as well! I was so worried about the house-and for nothing. I have two dogs. One inside and one out. My social worker was fine with both of them. My home is in no way baby proof at the moment and she just made suggestions on what I could do or asked what I would consider doing. Everything else is about you, your faimly/network and work. Try to relax and get some rest-it will be over before you know it!

[amyfk]

Just take a deep breath! I am sure you'll do fine. Even if you dont have time to give the dog a haircut.
Basically from what I remember you have to have a safe place for a child to live and a place for a bedroom. In other words they dont want wires hanging out of outlets and I dont think you need any swanky bedroom with the ruffled pillows either.
If you dont have them already I think they want to see that you have Carbon monoxide detectors, fire detectors, etc.
You will do just fine. Breathe...
Amy K, NJ

[votemom]

ditto to everything already posted. relax. they will be focusing on what's most important - you and the relationship with your partner and your attitudes and feelings about parenthood, etc. they've seen lots of perfectly cleaned houses and that's not the priority.

[Waiting_for_my_baby]

I, like everyone else, worried & stressed out about my homestudy. Let me tell you it was fine. She was so nice and just did a little tour of our house. It is more about talking & the SW getting to know you. Our SW was so easy to talk to, I almost didn't want her to go! We have 3 dogs, 1 being a house dog, and she loved on our dog. My dog wasn't even friendly at first (barking at her) but my SW allowed her the time to warm up to her.

So just remember the SW is own your side, she is there to help you bring your baby home. She is not your enemy. (Good advice that I got from here when I was freaking out about my homestudy!) Good luck!

[ophelia72]

You guys are so great! After I posted yesterday I went to take a shower and had no Hot water! AHHHH! I tried and failed to figure out the problem. Father in law came over said call the gas company. OK, there was no leak. Since it was an updated water heater he couldn't light it. Call a technican. Well, did that. Sears too late for last night had to wait til today. They give you a wait time between 8-5. Ahhh! you have got to be kidding no. Tried to explain I have plans. No go. Choose plans or hot water. Hot water won. Thank God it was this weekend and not the 23rd or I would just die ! Anyway thanks for the advice. While we waited teh Dog got a hair cut and bath! One thing down. How many more to go! Hope you guys are doing well.

[ddahl]

YES YES YES! This is all good information. Just as she will be evaluating your ability to provide a safe and loving home, you will be begining an important relationship with the person who will be with you and you family along the way once you are home, for 3 years. Ask her questions too. Its a nerve wracking experience but when its over you will be like"Humm that was not so bad". Good luck! You will be fabulous!

Spray some smell good on the dog and slap a bow on him and call it a day. The dog is a Z priority! LOL!

[mcanvasback]

Ok, Ophelia, you are hearing from someone who had four homestudies. Really long story - short version, changed agencies, then agency #2 went out of business, then got a divorce. But I digress.
The point is, don't be nervous! It's a piece of cake.

OK, I just said don't be nervous?

Homestudy #1, SW arrives, and I, ever the gracious hostess, ask her if she'd like coffee, she says yes.
I carefully grind the beans, carefully measure them into the filter, carefully fill pot with water, pour it into the machine, nonchalantly stroll over to the table where she is sitting, sit down. Hear, drip drip drip, look around. Coffee streaming out of the machine all over the counter and floor. I forgot to put the pot in.

I died!!

She looked at me and burst out laughing and said "relax! there is nothing to be nervous about". Ha!

[ndkaff]

As others have stated...Don't worry!!!!
I am so remember how nervous we were for our homestudy visit.
Each visit is less stressful.
Today we have our LAST postplacement visit!!!!