The home visit probably generates the greatest anxiety in the whole process. It may feel as if your lifestyle is being judged and the one person with the "ultimate" decision making is going to check out your home.

RELAX!!! This can be fun!

One of the beauties of this country is the diversity of lifestyles. I am not here to judge your lifestyle. My goal is to see how you plan to integrate a child into the lifestyle you already have. I will walk through your home to see the layout and to raise any questions about child safety that may come up. I will ask you to describe your plans for the child's room. I do not expect to see a complete nursery at the home visit. I look at the home visit as a chance to share information. I bring books and resource information that I share at the home visit. This is part of your preparation to adopt.

I do not look in closets, cupboards, refrigerators, or under furniture. I do look at the yard, any preparations you have made for a child, the neighborhood, and community resources for children.

When all three stages are complete I write the pre-placement report--the Homestudy. This is your permission to adopt in Washington and is required to adopt internationally where it goes to INS and becomes a part of your dossier.

You can celebrate now because you have completed a major hurdle in your adoption journey.