Thursday, June 17, 2010

In Which We Prepare For Our Home Study And I Am Really, Really Nervous

I spent a good portion of today weeding the yard and cleaning house, because we have our home study tomorrow.  To be honest, I'm totally freaked out about it.  Despite the fact that we've already met our social worker and she seems like a lovely, very non-intimidating, rational person, I am still half-convinced that she's going to sit down with us, do the interview, and declare that there is absolutely no way we are fit to parent another child, and also that she's iffy on our ability to parent the one we have.  Likely?  Probably not.  But that doesn't stop my brain from thinking it anyway, because brains are wonderful like that.

I'm also worried that she's going to take a look at our backyard (which is totally torn up due to the deck construction) garage (which is full of deck materials) and front yard (which is half-full of ivy and weeds) and disprove us on the grounds of our house being unsafe for children.  But there's not really anything I can do about it, as I am not going to be able to build the deck, organize the garage and pull up 60 feet of ivy in the next 24 hours, so we'll just have to hope that it's not a big deal. 

And then there's the thought that I'll say something completely inappropriate and horribly offend her, or that Connor will decide to have a major meltdown in the middle of the interview, or any number of other equally unlikely scenarios my mind has managed to come up with over the course of the day that make me want to consume possibly toxic amounts of chocolate.

If I can get my brain to stop spewing irrational ideas about how we're going to flunk this thing, hopefully I'll be able to get some sleep tonight.  But so much hinges on this dang home visit that I don't know how successful I'll be.

Wish us luck!

~Jess

10 comments:

leah said...

You'll do wonderfully! You might want to hide the velociraptors, though. Social workers tend to frown on those.

Greymare said...

I'm sure ya'll will do great. Just don't mention bears.

Kristin said...

even if Connor does tell the social worker that he doesn't like her and that she should go away, the way you handle it will show her how much you guys should have another kid. :) you'll do great.

Anonymous said...

Good luck! You will be fine! Just don't throw her in the ivy ;-)

AJ's Mom said...

Jess,

Take a deep breath and know you'll do wonderfully. We've been through the home study process, its more laid back than it seems. Really. She'll know the deck is a project and will be finished by the time S comes home, and Connor will most certainly woo her with his uber cuteness. Even if he doesn't like her, the cuteness will prevail. You two are wonderful parents and it will show. Good Luck, can't wait to here how it goes!

Lin said...

Who knows what they are looking for? You just have to be yourself and have confidence that what you have to offer a child is a wonderful home. If you let that shine through, they couldn't possibly pass you up.

Herding Grasshoppers said...

She'll love you!

And if she doesn't, sic Rowbert on her.

Really, flying colors, my friend.

Julie

Unknown said...

No worries! You are amazing and everything is going to work out fine!!
No one is perfect, and no house is perfect!! I am sure she will understand the "construction" going on!!
I will keep you in my thoughts!!

xraevision said...

Jess, you are miles ahead of most prospective adoptive parents and you will pass with flying colors. I think, in your case, you should think of the home study interview as a necessary formality. Take a really deep breath and gobble down a bit of chocolate, if it makes you feel better, but you're going to do really well!

Rena said...

I always get nervous when social workers come to my house, and I've been doing this for 13 years. They are always nice and helpful, but having this "official" person sitting in my house asking me questions with their paperwork and clipboard is nerve-wracking.

 
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