Trudging Along-coming up on the homestudy.

maryoosa

So we paid our "registration" fee and were welcomed to our agency. Now, the homestudy fee. And that whole paperwork process. I'm really overly stressed about the homestudy- I think mostly because it's an unknown. We have only the vaguest sense of what paperwork they are asking us for and what information they want. I guess I'll feel a bit more sure when I get the paperwork and see what they are asking for.

 

 

IRR

It will be a lot, but so that it doesn't overwhelm you, just take it in chunks.  GL.

Dr.Loretta

The homestudy was one of the biggest fears for DH. We called up 2 agencies and spent an hour on the phone walking through what it entailed. He felt a LOT better after it was explained to him!

Just keep in mind that they're not looking to disqualify you. They just need to document that you'd make good parents.

GL!

orange1414

The homestudy process can be really overwhelming. Take your time (as much as your agency will allow) and if you're uncertain about something, you should ask your social worker. I know some people on this board fly thourgh their home study in 2-3 months. WIth the requirements of our agency and our need to take it a pace we could handle (we were still a little fragile after IF struggles), we took nearly 9 months. It ended up being a positive thing for us. Good luck!

CaptainSerious

The paperwork will include forms covering:

- your contact and emergency information

 - your work and educational experience

 - your financial background

 - questions concerning why you want to adopt, how you intend to raise your child

 - your family history

 - criminal background and child abuse record checks

 - your religious beliefs, culture, etc.

 - how you intend to discipline your child

 - your mental and physical health

 - your community support and services (family, doctors, therapists, schools, daycares, etc)

 - references from friends and neighbors

 - your autobiography

I know this sounds intimidating, but just take it one step at a time.  They aren't looking for something to disqualify you (as long as your home and family would be a safe, loving environment for a child), what they are trying to do is get a complete picture of you as individuals and a couple, so that they can determine if you have any areas that you might need support in.  They'll want to help you find resources to help you develop a non-corporal discipline plan, for example, if you don't already have one.  Or they'll suggest places you can get whatever support you may need once the child comes home.