The homestudy is "your life story."
Individually and jointly, you will be led through the story of your lives:

• How were you raised, disciplined, loved and by whom.
• Descriptions of your family structure, parents, siblings, your birth order.
• Who was the disciplinarian, the nurturer to you as a child
• Past and present relationships with family members is an important part of who you are today.
• Your education and school life.
• Your current employment.
• Your employment history.
• How you met your spouse and a discussion of your dating relationship.
• Your marriage and current relationship.
• Your problem solving techniques.
• Previous marriages will be discussed and the reasons for divorce.
• If you have other children from your current or a previous marriage, there will be discussions concerning their feelings.
• If you have adult children from a previous marriage they will be interviewed.
• Your home will be viewed for appropriateness for child rearing, safety issues, fire safety, firearm security/safety.
• Hobbies and interests, leisure time, family and group activities.
• Religion.
• Feelings about child rearing, and discipline.
• Feelings about adoption and adopted children.
• Feelings about birthparents.
• Preparation for discussing adoption with your child.

You will probably have several interviews with your Social Worker, both in your home and possibly in his/her office. The Social Worker will not be coming into your home to do a "white glove" inspection. Don't exhaust yourself cleaning and polishing! If your home is "too perfect", it may be perceived that you will have trouble adjusting to the clutter that always comes with children. The Social Worker will be checking to make sure the child you will adopt will be entering a safe, healthy home. If he/she notices something of concern, you will be advised and given plenty of time to make the necessary changes or adjustments.

Begin now preparing yourselves for your homestudy. This is a time to learn more about each other and to begin preparing for new roles as parents. All aspects of the adoption process should be discussed jointly. Each person should have their questions answered and feel completely comfortable with the answers. This journey will last a lifetime.... and will bring life's greatest rewards. Children restore our awareness of the world around us and renew our wonder and amazement.

Tips when preparing for your Home Study:

• Be happy and excited, but try to relax.
• Get organized and be prepared for your homestudy
• Select a Social Worker who will prepare a thorough homestudy.
• Get your home ready for a visitor, but don't exhaust yourself cleaning and polishing.
• Offer the Social Worker a soft drink or cup of coffee when he/she arrives in your home Family photos are a great way for the worker to "get to know" your family (don't bore her with volumes of albums, but some framed photos will be great.)
• Don't panic ... it is okay to be nervous, this is important, but try be relaxed and natural. It will be easier for the worker to know you if you just "be yourselves"
• Don't mis-lead the worker about any part of your life. (Financial problems, childhood problems, counseling or psychological history, a bad job experience or skeletons in your closet.) Your worker will discuss these things with you and chances are, it won't present a problem if you show how you are currently dealing with the situation.
• If you have other children in your home, let them know a Social Worker is coming for a visit and why. Don't panic if your child takes this opportunity to "really act up"— children do these kinds of things. Your worker has probably seen it before. However, it may be that your child just needs more discussion/information about what you are planning to do and about the up and coming change in your family.
• Rely on your sense of humor, you will need this throughout the adoption process.
• A smile, a firm handshake, a joke, a generally warm and friendly demeanor among yourselves and with the worker, will go a long way.

Remember the road to adoption may sometimes be bumpy, but well worth your efforts. Be patient! The process may seem lengthy, but the rewards are great!

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