First let say that I do NOT recommend you schedule a home study on your birthday! Not a fun way to "celebrate" your special day, lol. Thankfully I knew the Social Worker that was coming and we have somewhat become "friends" so I wasn't too intimidated by the process. All 3 dogs behaved rather well, yeah! We basically started talking about the ages, race, and types of kids I would accept at the beginning. I told her I would take ages 0 – 16, up to 2 kids at a time (siblings), any race, no major handicaps.
As of right now I am still only planning to do respite care which will mean I will "fill in" for another foster family, as needed, if they are going on vacation or need a break from their foster child. This could mean I would only have them on the weekend or it could mean I would have them for a week in the summer or something like that. I know Spring Break is a big "need" but unfortunately I can't help during tax season. Some (most) foster parents don't work outside of the home so I wouldn't be able to keep their kids during the week because I wouldn't have a daycare to take them to.
After we covered that we talked about my "background." Typical questions were: What is your earliest childhood memory? Who disciplined in your family? Did you get along with your sister? Were getting good grades important to you and your parents? Did you like being the baby in the family? Describe a crisis your family went through and how it was handled. Were you involved in extracurricular activities? What was your favorite thing about school? Did you get along with your teachers? When did you become a Christian? What is your relationship like now with Jesus? Do you have a regular "quiet time?" What do you like about your job? What frustrates you about your job? What are your hobbies?
Ok, so that is maybe 15 of the 100 questions she asked. Like I said, not something you want to do on your birthday! Thankfully I'm usually am open book so I was able to share freely with her. I just don't have a very good memory so sometimes my answers were based on things others told me more than they were things I actually remembered like drowning when I was like 3 or so and my sister rescuing me. I don't know how many times I've heard that story but I don't for real remember that happening. It has certainly affected my life, though (not a fan of water).
After the "interview" she started to go through the home "checklist." I knew there were a few items I still needed to tend to before I pass the home check but she was able to check off quite a bit. Here are my pending items:
*I need to lock up ALL medicine in my house. This can either be a lock box or just lock up the cabinet I keep them in. Not sure what I'm going to do for this one.
*I need to put any "tools" that I have out of reach of children.
*I need to buy a 5 lb fire extinguisher. (I currently have a 3 lb one).
*I have to put covers on ALL electric outlets.
*I have to email her Roscoe and Peaches' rabies vaccinations
*I have to post a list of emergency contacts (hospital, poison control and ABCH).
Once I've completed these items she will run back by my house to check these items off. Of course we are still waiting on the background check to be complete, too.
I'm in no rush. I can't foster during tax season anyways. Plus, Africa will be right after tax season, too. So that's my foster update for ya!
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