7 Tips for Preparing for your Home Study

19 December 2018

The adoption process is filled with wonder, excitement, and anxiety. Oh yeah, and there are some stressful moments sprinkled in too. Perhaps none more sweat inducing than the home study.

The adoption home study is a process that anyone who adopts has to go through, and it’s definitely an intimidating time in the process, but try not to let that get you down. Sure, home studies are a big deal, and they do play a large role in whether or not you qualify to adopt a child.

Here are some tips for handling your home study.

Get Started on the Paperwork:

Paperwork sucks! You know it, I know it, everybody knows it – and the adoption process is loaded with it; from emergency plans to parenting plans, and a host of other stuff. It’s tedious, it’s frustrating, and it can be downright dull. But it’s necessary.

Calm Down:

It’s easy to get worked up during this process, especially knowing that this could be the deciding factor in your approval. But don’t get yourself worked up over this. Home studies are nothing more than a routine part of the process. They aren’t meant to find a reason NOT to have you approved, and there really isn’t much to worry about here. Besides, your adoption agency is going to let you know everything you need to have for a successful home study.

Follow the Checklist:

Before your home study begins, your adoption agency will give you a checklist to follow. This will probably consist of things like; background checks, birth certificates (of all occupants), and parenting plan statement to name a few.

You will also be given a list of things that should have completed before the agent comes out to your house to conduct the study. Be sure to address everything on that checklist; if it weren’t important, then it wouldn’t be on the list. Nothing is okay to overlook.

Be Yourself:

I’m always reminded of the episode of Friends “The One with the Home Study” where Chandler and Monica wanted their social worker to like them so badly they were even willing to throw Joey under the bus. Like any good 90’s sitcom, it blew up in there faces and hilarity ensued. But again, like any good 90’s sitcom, it all worked out in the end. Still, there is a lesson to be learned here. Just be you.

It’s easy to want to embellish in these situations, whether it finances, or even just your overall lives. Don’t! Your social worker wants to get to know who you are individually, and as a family and it’s imperative that you’re honest. The fastest way to fail your home study is to lie on your paperwork or during your home study.

Safety:

Before you’re social worker gets to your home, make sure everything is tidy – cleanliness is always important. You should also be sure to have all of your cabinets locked and keep anything that is a potential hazard out of a child’s reach. If you have firearms, ensure that they are secured in an out of reach safe.

You’ll also want to make sure that all of your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers are in working condition and appropriately placed throughout the home. Oh, and you’ll want to make sure you have a first-aid kit in your house.

Have the Room Ready:

This isn’t a necessity, but if you know that you want a baby then go ahead and set-up the room that the baby is going to be sleeping in. Not only will it show that you have enough space for your new addition, but it will also show that you are dedicated to giving your new child everything they need.

You’ll do Great:

The home study can be a scary thing, and it’s okay to be nervous, it shows you care. Just stay calm, be yourselves, and follow the checklist exactly, and you’ll be well on your way to having a baby placed with you.

Don’t worry; you’ll do great!

Read Also:

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Top 7 Home Security Mistakes That Homeowners Need To Avoid Making

We all are excited about buying our first home! But, in that excitement of owning a new space that is entirely our own, we make some rookie mistakes when it comes to security. Initially, you do put a lot of effort into the ironclad safety of your house, like putting in alarms, sensory cameras, etc. But, you are also prone to make some mistakes down the line. We have surveyed and found out most of the common mistakes that are done by homeowners in terms of security. As the 7 top home security mistakes that homeowners need to avoid making are presented underneath, take them as a fair warning and make sure you avoid them at any cost. Rookie Home Security Mistakes That Homeowners Need To Avoid These mistakes will sound harmless at first, but they can lead to serious problems when you least expect them. The reason why you should be aware of them is that intruders and burglars keep looking for these loopholes to enter your house. These actions are taken in haste and should be avoided, especially when you live alone or have kids in the house. 1. Leaving The Windows Unlocked To ensure full safety when you leave, you should carefully check all the house doors and windows, especially the bolts of the window and the backdoors. This is a mandatory measure for all the valuable items that are locked in your house. Especially if you have left your kids alone with a babysitter who isn't quite well accustomed to the map of the house, checking the windows is a must before you exit, but sometimes windows do break in because the material is mostly glass. This is why you need a strong alarm system that will prevent breaking and entering. Click https://smiththompson.com/security-systems-san-antonio/ to get the best home security services for installing an alarm system today. 2. Not Locking Garage Door This is one of the biggest mistakes, which is so common that it is scary. We have all heard horror stories about stalkers and intruders easily entering the house with just an open door. There is a door in your garage that leads to your house, at any circumstance that should be locked with a proper locking system unless someone opens it from inside. Unfortunately, this door is the biggest attraction for people for breaking and entering. A garage should also have installed a security system, proper lighting, and most importantly, an ironclad door that cannot be opened from outside. 3. Keeping The Garage Gate Open When Not Needed This is again another mistake that happens very often. The garage is mostly opened from the inside, even when it is not used. Even if there is a need to use the garage, one could enter from the gate inside the house. Avoid keeping the garage gate open at night; this is probably the easiest and the biggest entrance for the intruders and stalkers out there. Instead, an excellent suggestion is to put an intrusion alarm inside the alarm or motion sensors to detect anyone’s presence, even if you are in the other corner of the house. 4. No Perimeter Security When we talk about security, if you are going to have a strong security system inside your house, then the same should be given to the outside part. This is something that should be considered if you are getting a professional to install your security equipment. General people forget to get proper lights for the porch or the long drive—even a camera for the space outside or a motion sensor for the backyard. The interior of your house is not the only place that you need to protect, but the entire exterior until your property lasts. The lack of outside security can also fail to intimidate the burglars or intruders waiting to commit a crime. 5. Leaving A Ladder On The Side Of The House Leaving a ladder outside your house is literally inviting suspicious break-ins. You have to be careful about these tools and equipment, which can easily give anyone access to enter some of the most private areas of your house. Every time you work with them, do not keep them in places that can allow people to use them. Instead, this equipment should be kept inside the house, locked in the basement or attic. 6. Leaving Places For The Intruder To Hide When was the last time that you cut those ‘human height’ hedges from your backyard, or since when have you kept that equipment room outside the main house unlocked? These are very easy hiding places for the people waiting to intrude, open your valuable belongings, or even you. You cannot be careless because it is only through your strong preparation for security, the intruders will get intimidated. Just like a garage (which is also another excellent hiding place for burglars), you should always keep your utility room, garden room, greenhouses locked. Plus, get some help and cut those hedges today. 7. Hiding A Key Outside The House This might be the last one on our list, but that doesn’t make it any less important. In fact, it is the most important one since it is so common. Forgetting your keys is like an everyday habit for some people, and in order to fight them, we always find new and innovative ways to hide a spare outside our house. This is not only dangerous because the literal weapon of entering your private property is left unattended, but every intruder can anticipate all the hiding places. So, take your keys! But, if you are prone to forgetting, then you can keep a spare with your neighbors. But, seriously, stop keeping your keys underneath the mat. Final Note Home security should be our first priority when we own property. Besides these few common and big mistakes, we should also stop sharing our whereabouts on social media. This just lets people know that you aren’t at home. Installing a proper security system is essential. Although some might be a little on the costlier side, it is an excellent investment for the long term. Read Also: WiFi Security: Mediocrity To Excellence The Guide to Understanding Your Home Value 3 Home Upgrades to Make Your Property Unique

7 Benefits of a Clean and Decluttered Workspace

They say that cleanliness is next to godliness; however, even someone who does not believe in god will vouch for the tremendous power of living and working in a clean and organized environment. The most important benefit of keeping one’s surroundings clean and free of clutter is that it allows free flow of energy and creates a positive ambiance that has proven psychological benefits. Once we’ve become used to working in a cluttered environment, change can be difficult but it’s not impossible. 7 Benefits of a Clean and Decluttered Workspace Here are seven reasons why you should care about the cleanliness of not only your own desk but also your immediate surroundings at work and home. Cleanliness improves efficiency: Everyone wants to make the best use of their time at work, but a dirty and disorganized workplace enables exactly the opposite. In fact, people subconsciously dread going to an office where they’ll have to spend a significant part of their day plowing through stuff and enduring the unhygienic conditions in the pantries, washrooms and work bays. A clean and hygienic office space where every nook and corner has been paid attention is a haven for efficient and result-oriented work. A clean work environment encourages creativity: You may have experienced this in your personal life. Cluttered and dirty spaces do nothing more than sap one’s energy, stagnates the mind and obstruct the flow of creative thoughts and ideas. This can be particularly detrimental to the growth of a business. Therefore, maintaining a clean and orderly workspace is essential to encourage and inspire yourself and your colleagues to be creative in everyday tasks. Cleanliness helps you focus: A clean desk no doubt enables people to focus on the task at hand; however, a clean office building has an even greater impact on the employees’ ability to concentrate and complete tasks without distractions. Professional organizers say that knowing where your things are helps keep the mind clear, which in turn makes you more efficient and focussed and also says a lot about your professional caliber. in addition, clean and well-maintained indoor spaces tell your staff that you value their working environment. A tidy work desk means more room to work: Clearing your desk of clutter gives you more space to do your work, which in turn improves productivity and helps you achieve your daily goals on time. While a small office can be cleaned easily by your housekeeping staff, a larger workspace is best cleaned by a professional cleaning service that has the requisite tools and skills to do a thorough cleaning. Decluttering saves time: In business time is money, and when you have an organized work area with a place for everything from stapler pins to large files, you save a substantial amount of time every day that you would otherwise spend looking for stuff. Even a few minutes wasted every day by each staff member add up to a significant number. Do the math and share the figures with your colleagues and subordinates to inspire them to organize their working space. It acts as a stress-buster: A messy work desk or office space can cause a lot of stress and at most times you won’t even know that it’s the clutter that’s making your anxious. In fact, experts say that just walking into an unkempt office can make you feel stressed and disinterested in your work. Research shows that living and working in a clean and clutter-free space has a definite effect on a person’s mood and overall psychological well being. While some work-related stress is normal, if you feel overstressed especially when sitting at your desk or being inside a messy workplace, think deeply about whether it’s a work situation that’s freaking you out or the place itself. A clean work area means less sick leaves: An unclean and untidy workspace can make you sick from all the microorganisms that get to breed on and around your desk. Food crumbs and dust are the main culprits that find a safe haven in your keyboard, behind your desktop and under your desk. In many offices, cleaning staff are instructed not to move stuff lying on the desks, which means your desk space may not have been cleaned for weeks! If you’ve been falling sick a lot lately but can find no obvious explanation, a cluttered and dirty workspace could be to blame. Read Also: Choosing Open Office Space Vs Cubicle Office Space The Need To Settle End Of Tenancy Issues Before Leaving

How to Protect Your Wood Flooring in a Busy Household

A busy household is one with a lot of love. Whether it is a lot of people all living together in one home or just neighbors and friends dropping by at all hours of the day and night, keeping up with a barrage of feet across your floors can be difficult. A stylish wood flooring might be exactly what you need in terms of aesthetics but what can you do in terms of protection? Keep reading to find out. Choose the Right Floor: Protecting the floor actually begins a long time before it is even laid. One of the most crucial decisions you can make when it comes to choosing the right flooring comes from which wood you pick. If you opt for a design which has been treated to be resistant then you know it will be a little longer lasting than something else you could choose. You should also choose something on the neutral side so it will always be in style no matter how much you change the rest of the room about. The right color will blend in with everything and can even help to disguise stains depending on what you choose. Enforce “Shoes Off” Yes, you might have to be one of those households which enforces a shoes-off rule. If you want to maintain clean floors as often as possible, you need to ensure that no-one is trekking mud and dirt through your home on the soles of their shoes. Some people only like to use this rule when they have carpets, but it can also be used when you have wood flooring you want to keep pristine. Keep a collection of slippers just for guests if they aren’t comfortable walking around in just socks. Use Protector Pads on Furniture: Head to any hardware store or even your local supermarket, and you will be able to find a square of felt which you can cut up and used to cushion the feet of your furniture. This can be bought either in the pre-cut shapes or you can do it yourself. If you have furniture like chairs which frequently get dragged along your floor, this felt will help to protect the floor. Long scores and other damage on the floor can be extremely difficult to fix and you should instead try to focus on preventing such damage. Put the pads on any furniture will be resting on the floor even if it will not be moved often. It might not be the most convenient for you to try to place the pads on your heavy dresser, but it will be worth it if it means your floor won’t be damaged. Just the natural shift of people walking around the house might be enough to cause it to move and damage your floors. Wipe up Spillages ASAP: Wood floors are great as they do not require that much in the way of maintenance but there is one thing you must be exceptionally vigilant about. This is spillages from liquids; something which might happen quite a lot in households with a lot of people. From drinks being dropped to vases getting knocked over, there is plenty of scope for things being spilled on your beautiful wooden floor. If this spillage is left unattended, you can risk the wood warping and become irrevocably damaged. There is not really any way to correct wood once it has warped so it is easier to just be vigilant and clean up the spills as they happen instead. If you have young children, make sure that you instill in them the knowledge that spilling on the floor is not wrong if it is an accident, but it must be cleaned up as soon as possible. Gentle, Regular Cleaning: A wood floor can look beautiful, but you need to be very careful about what you use to clean it if you want it to remain as good as possible for the longest amount of time. First of all, a regular sweep will work wonders. Build one into your routine. If you do a daily clean down or tidy of the room with the wood floor just to keep things nice and neat, running around with a broom is not a massive addition to your cleaning routine. When it comes to something a little more, all you need is a good microfibre mop. These are brilliant as you can really wring them out to ensure that they are merely damp as opposed to wet. You should not want to use anything too wet to avoid the warping problem mentioned above. A damp microfibre mop and a suitable cleaner which can be used on wood flooring are all you need to ensure that the wood is left sparkling clean. Read more: Use Floor Polishing For Keeping Your Flooring Looking New A Stylish Rug or Two: If your wood floor is in somewhere with a lot of traffic, for example, a hallway or the kitchen, then you might want to take an extra precaution to protect the floor through the use of a rug. This will protect your floor from some additional wear and tear and can help to prevent those tell-tale marks which slowly appear from lots of feet trailing through the same area. What’s more, it is incredibly easy to find rugs to match whatever style you might have in a room. With a load of different textures and designs to choose from, you can very easily find the perfect rug to match your room and rest knowing that the floor underneath will stay protected that little bit longer. Find the Right Floor for You Today: If you have been holding back on installing a wood floor because you think your household is too busy for it, you need to correct that mistake now. There are plenty of options for you even if you have a house bursting at the seams with loved ones! With the tips mentioned above, there is no reason why you cannot have a beautiful wood floor in your home even if you have visitors at all hours of the day and night. Read Also: How Long Does Vinyl Flooring Last? 7 Advantages Of Reflective Epoxy Flooring 5 Factors To Consider In Choosing The Right Floor Colors

7 Tips for Preparing for your Home Study

Get Started on the Paperwork:

Calm Down:

Follow the Checklist:

Be Yourself:

Safety:

Have the Room Ready:

You’ll do Great:

Advantages Of Using A Water Heater At Home

7 Benefits of a Clean and Decluttered Workspace

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Top 7 Home Security Mistakes That Homeowners Need To Avoid Making

7 Benefits of a Clean and Decluttered Workspace

How to Protect Your Wood Flooring in a Busy Household

7 Tips for Preparing for your Home Study

Get Started on the Paperwork:

Calm Down:

Follow the Checklist:

Be Yourself:

Safety:

Have the Room Ready:

You’ll do Great:

Share this Article

Advantages Of Using A Water Heater At Home

7 Benefits of a Clean and Decluttered Workspace

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related