The caseworker is on vacation for a bit, so it'll be about 2 1/2 weeks until we can do a home visit. We have some things to fix up in our house before then.

What are things they look for? I'd like to have as little to do after the visit as possible. We know about smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, but what else would there be?

Will the caseworker be bothered that Miriam is 13 months old and doesn't have her own bed? We cosleep. :)

back story: We are getting custody of my cousin's son. He's 5 months older than our daughter. We're VERY excited.

Thanks!

Jeni

The homestudy is pretty laid back, they are looking for basic safety stuff like you mentioned, if there's a pool that it's fenced... that medicine is kept up all of the things you'll think of... they can probably even give you a list for that. They also are just watching how you interact as a family and you'll be fine, try not to worry... they'll do part of you interview then too probably asking questions about parenting philosophy and stuff like that. Maybe your childhood or how you relate as a family (the co-sleeping if fine by the way, that's your personal decision and as long as you can explain it in a logical well reasoned way which I'm sure you can then I know they'll be fine with it... we co-slept with our foster newborns and our certifier thought it was great.) You can do stuff like light vanilla candles to make it feel more homey or bake cookies... that kind of thing, but those are really to make you feel better I think, the bottom line is to just relax and show that you're a good family because once they see that it'll be fine. I know you'll do great. I don't check here often but you can email me if you want... obrenell@aol.com
good luck!
Jen