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!

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6 Tips to Make Small Spaces Look Bigger

Some people choose to live in a small home, rental room, or apartment. This could be for a lot of reasons, like financial constraints or personal preferences. Small is beautiful after all and, nowadays, highly practical too! However, living in a small space doesn’t have to equate to feeling cramped or uncomfortable. Indeed, it’s very easy to create a warm and cosy atmosphere when you have a smaller area to work with. However, if you want to bring an airy, spacious feel to your home or room’s limited acreage, you can turn to colour, lighting, and the right furniture to achieve your goal. Here are some simple tips to make a small space look and feel bigger. Draw the Eye Up : Most people choose to paint their ceilings a safe, light colour like white, beige, or cream, which indeed helps bounce the light around a small room. However, to create the illusion of a taller space, using bolder colours will help draw the eye up and achieve this effect. Reds and oranges are the obvious choices, but you can also go for dark blues and violet for more drama. If you are hesitant to try dark colours on your ceilings, decorate it instead with interesting patterns or a simple geometric mural. Use Reflective Surfaces : Using mirrors instead of paintings on your walls will help reflect the light better and open up space in a jiffy. But mirrors aren’t your only options. You can also use furniture that has glass, clear plastic, silver, chrome, and other shiny, reflective elements. Switch out your wooden coffee table with a glass one and see how your space instantly looks bigger. Where possible, you should also incorporate accessories that can reflect light. For example, you can install a wall fountain with a silver, gold, or stainless steel backing, so both the water and the backing can help bounce the light around. The fountain can also serve as a piece of artwork, so you don’t have to fill your space with extra accessories. You can also try focusing a light onto the fountain to further increase the amount of light in your home. Get Big Key Pieces of Furniture : You might be tempted to get several smaller pieces of furniture, but this would likely end up in a cluttered-looking and therefore smaller-looking space. It’s better to get a few key pieces -- like your bed room and dining table -- in standard or bigger sizes with simple, clean lines. According to Ritely, there are many ideas that will help you to make the room appear more organized and comfortable. Use a Monochromatic Color Scheme : A monochromatic colour scheme makes your space look coherent and put-together. The actual colour doesn’t matter as long as they are in the same family, although cool colours like blue and green and subtle warm colours like yellow and peach are great choices for evoking that open feel. Use these colours on your walls, furniture, and other accessories like throw pillows and vases. Hang Curtains High : Hang your curtains close to the ceiling and let them fall right down to the floor to make any room look taller. If it makes things easier, install the rods or tracks on the ceiling for more height; the fabric will also fall more artfully this way. Keep the window treatments in the same colour scheme, ideally in the lighter end of the spectrum, to achieve a seamless look. You should also veer away from thick, heavy drapes and instead opt for lighter curtains in fabrics like cotton, linen, or even lace. Roman shades also work well for this purpose. If privacy is not an issue, you can opt for valances instead of full-length curtains so that you still have window trimmings that at the same time allow more natural light to filter in. Opt for Lamps Instead of Overhead Lights : When you use top-down lighting fixtures, the light is focused in one space. This draws the eye toward that are, making the entire room look constrained. Opt instead for various kinds of lamps to spread the light. Slender, elongated designs work best as these also give the illusion of height. If you opt for floor or desk lamps, choose styles that have a small base that matches the colour of the shade. With these simple design tips, you don’t need to break down walls to create more space -- or at least the illusion of it -- in your small home. Try them now and let us know which ones work the best for you! Read Also : Best 5 Designer Secrets To Make The Most Of Small Spaces 5 Ways To Make A Big Statement In Small Bedroom Office Spaces – Which One Is Right For Your Business?

Remodeling Tips for New Homeowners

Everyone has their reason for embarking on a home remodeling project, but the thrill remains the same, especially as a new homeowner. Perhaps, you want to improve the value of your home or want it to fit your style? Regardless, it's an exciting project that comes with a lot of work— sometimes more than bargained. It can be devastating to embark on a remodeling project only to realize halfway that it's unachievable. So, whether you will be getting the assistance of a remodeling company or you'll be handling this project alone, here are five tips you should know before starting. 1. Try to ask for help: It takes more than a pair of jeans and a well-equipped toolbox to produce quality work on a renovation project. First off, as an amateur, certain tools aren't suitable for you. Secondly, YouTube tutorials may not always have all the answers and solutions you need. So, except remodeling is something you have years of experience in, don't shy away from asking for help. A simple Google search should come in handy in this respect. For example, if you live in Houston, Texas, a quick search for Houston, Tx remodeling company should deliver some viable results. 2. Make a priority list: While some people can afford to stay in hotels during home renovations, you may not have that luxury and will have to keep living in your home during the renovation. The best way to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the home renovation process is to tackle time-sensitive projects first, like water damage or a leaking roof. Additionally, areas of the house you use frequently should be a top priority. That way, you can still go about your daily life even though your home is under renovation. 3. Set a budget: Contrary to what some TV shows make us believe, remodeling a house can run your account dry, especially if you don't have an accurate budget. So, the next step after drawing out a plan would be to determine your budget and financing. Although budgeting isn't the most fun thing to do (as it requires you to find a balance between the available finance and your dream design), it's an essential part of the remodeling process because it helps you gauge your expectations. Your budget should ideally include everything from the costs for permits to building materials, labor, painting, and cosmetic touch. It's easier to stick to your budget if it's accurate. So, make sure you get a contractor to review it or request cost estimates from professionals. You can look up companies in the Houston area that offer free estimate and consultation services to save costs here. 4. Remember the big picture: When taking up a remodel project, it's essential always to keep the big picture in mind. Remember that energy costs, water bills, and repair expenses can add up quickly in the future. So, make sure you include them all in your plan. Furthermore, since you're remodeling, you may want to invest in sustainable appliances that respect resources and support sustainable living. This is especially vital for a bathroom renovation. This area of the home can spike up your future heating and water costs. In a nutshell, you need to consider ways to save money both now and in the future; your bank account will thank you for these decisions in years to come. 5. Don't focus solely on design: Sure, many of us have a design that fits our style in mind before embarking on a remodel project. Perhaps, it's your kitchen, bedroom, or study that concerns you. However, you'll have to find a balance between getting the design you want and maintaining functionality. Many contemporary homes now blend functionality with design. For instance, if you have a small kitchen space, you may want to consider forfeiting some fixtures like the planning desk that no one really uses. That way, you save on space and maintain functionality. Read Also: Home Improvement Hacks to Add to Your Space Ideas for Modern Flooring Designs for Home Improvement Plans 6 Interior Design Tips to Make Your House a Home

4 Tips for Finishing a Basement

Some homeowners are completely content to keep their basement relatively out of sight and mind. They don’t really mind that there’s an unfinished or partially finished space right underneath them, because, frankly, they don’t have much use for it. That doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. With the scarcity of great real estate in modern urban centers and the skyrocketing price of homes, you would think that a homeowner would want to squeeze some life out of every little, liveable corner of their home. That’s why many experts recommend you consider finishing your basement, making it either liveable (in which case you could rent it to help pay the mortgage, or offer it to a family member), or recreational (in which case it functions as a rec room). To help you on your way toward a finished basement, this article will discuss four key tips to bear in mind. Plan the Layout for Usability: Planning the layout of a basement is often the most consequential part of the process – it creates a blueprint for everything to come. Have utility and functionality in mind when planning the layout: if it is meant to be liveable, how can you make it more liveable? If it is meant to be recreational, what would you like the basement’s centerpieces to be? In either case, plan the main areas around natural light and open space. Give thought to the flow of rooms, starting with when you walk downstairs. Protect Your Basement from Water: The single greatest threat to a finished basement is water. Being the lowest space in a house, a basement is also the most susceptible. Hire a professional to consult on waterproofing, and get yourself two sump pumps, including a battery backup for your existing sump pump – you’ll need a plumber to aid in installation, but it’s worth it for sheer risk management. Budget for the Use of Professionals: Working off that last point, here’s an important, broad tip that homeowners should keep in mind: budget for bringing in pros. So many homeowners convince themselves that DIY construction, electrical, plumbing, etc. is going to be easy, only to find that it is incredibly complicated and that incorrect execution can have big consequences for the final product. There’s no shame in calling in pros, and, in fact, it might save you money in the long run. Don’t Discount Looks: As discussed, functionality is a crucial part of putting together a finished basement… but so is aesthetics. Consider trim for the walls, wainscoting, good flooring, and pleasing light fixtures. Put thought into the color and brightness of the room, as well as the arrangement of its furniture and components. Install and maintain good windows and, as a final touch, add some art to the walls. Don’t be afraid to head to the internet for inspiration. This collection of 50 basements remodels in a great place to start! Don’t leave a whole floor of your home unfinished –start thinking about your dream basement today! Read Also: Inspiring Window Treatment Ideas 4 Tips For A Successful Home Renovation Turn Your Basement Into A Useful Space With These Tips

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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Related

6 Tips to Make Small Spaces Look Bigger

Remodeling Tips for New Homeowners

4 Tips for Finishing a Basement

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