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First homestudy visit tips?

kimmyb1020kimmyb1020 member
in Adoption

So our first homestudy visit is scheduled for Friday, eek! 

Any tips you can give? I've been trying to deep clean, mostly because that is the only thing I can think of to do right now. Also been working with the dogs on their door manners, they can be hit or miss, but hopefully we are going to take them for a LOOOONG walk right before she comes to take the edge off. 

She is coming at 11:00, should I have food/drinks? If so, what should I make?

 

Thanks! :)  

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We are very excited to be pursuing international adoption from China!
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Re: First homestudy visit tips?

  • orange1414orange1414 member

    Make sure your smoke detectors work. That was literally the only thing our social worker checked at our house on the first home study visit.

    We were concerned about our dog's manners, too. We had my parents actually take the dogs for a walk during the time that the social worker was set to arrive. So, they came back into the house after she was already there, avoiding the doorbell/stranger freak out entirely. They said a polite hello, and we gave them chew treats to keep them quiet for the rest of her visit. Good luck!

    Trying to grow our family with both fertility treatments and adoption since March 2009 
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  • lafayettegirllafayettegirl member

    Have something to drink ready, maybe even something to nibble on. Don't overdo it on the cleaning. The visit is basically to show you live in a safe place with a place for baby to sleep. They want to make sure Granny isn't being locked in the attic while you are cooking meth in the basement! :)

    Seriously, it is easy - do not stress. They will look around your house, maybe draw a diagram. They will look for smoke detectors, entrances and exits. They might indicate some minor changes - maybe you need screens on your windows or to lock the cabinet with the medicines and cleaning supplies. 

    Just be yourself and remember - they are not trying to exclude you from the process, they are trying to help you! 

    Good luck!!

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  • maryoosamaryoosa member

    I'm insane, but I'm planning to have something yummy smelling baking and something simmering in a crock pot. Not really for the SW, but for the ambiance. :)

     

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  • Foster1MomFoster1Mom
    Do not clean as much as you think. They just glance at things. It will be easy. I promise.
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  • megriffithsmegriffiths
    I found myself scrubbing the baseboards with a toothbrush which in hindsight was major overkill lol. The first thing our social worker said when she walked in was "you were really nervous about this weren't you?" My husband had put out flowers, we had made some fancy tea and cookies and she wasn't interested in any of it lol. Mostly they just want to see and know that you are preparing for this big change in your life, they don't expect you to be completely prepared with all the gear and all the answers on your first visit. The greatest thing our social worker said to us on our first visit is that her job is really to help us get ready to be the best parents we can be :) I hope it goes really well for you!
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  • Dr.LorettaDr.Loretta member

    We had snacks and drinks (and it would be nice to have them available), but our SW didn't touch them. She only stayed about 45 minutes.

    No one can stop themselves from deep cleaning for a HS, but really they're just looking for a safe home that is comfortable for a child, not a museum-quality home. As the pp noted, as long as you're not cooking meth in the kitchen or living in a tent, you'll be good.

    And keep in mind that they're not out to disqualify you, they want you to pass.

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  • kimmyb1020kimmyb1020 member

    Thanks everyone! I remember reading posts like this before and people saying not to freak out with cleaning so I've been trying to keep that in mind :) (although I have been cleaning baseboards, that makes me just a teeny bit crazy though, right?) 

    I will try to take a deep breath and relax!  

    Image and video hosting by TinyPicImage and video hosting by TinyPic
    After 2 years of IF workups/treatments and 2 IUIs, we have closed the door on fertility treatments.
    We are very excited to be pursuing international adoption from China!
    6000 miles and a day
    Follow Me on Pinterest
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Report Reply
  • fledgegrl1fledgegrl1

    I'll have to agree with PPs who said not to go overboard on cleaning. We just did a basic (not "deep") straighten up/clean. I tried to do more, but my DH gave me such a hard time about it, said I was wasting my time, and he was right. :)

    Having something to drink/nibble on can't hurt, but don't work too hard on it. Your SW probably won't be interested. Ours wouldn't even take a bottle of water!

    I was so surprised at how easy it was compared to what I had feared. Best of luck to you! 

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