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Step 1
Try not to panic. Often individuals will come to an adoption after facing many closed doors such as infertility or years of waiting for a child. It is easy to put too much pressure on yourself and get extremely overwhelmed about the homestudy process. Take it all one thing at a time and you will make it through just fine.
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Step 2
Talk to your spouse or to friends and family. Process your reasons for adopting, what type of child you envision adopting and how you feel about adoption. Be sure that adoption is the path you want to take and that you are dedicated to this method of building your family.
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Step 3
Take care of yourself as you go through the homestudy process. It’s easy to become overly stressed by the prospect of a social worker looking so thoroughly into your lives and that can take a toll on you personally and also on your marriage. Take breaks when you need them and don't put too much pressure on yourself to get things done or to come across as "the perfect parent."
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Step 4
Keep your paperwork organized by setting aside a file or folders for your homestudy process. You will be much calmer and enjoy the process a lot more if you're not constantly digging for important documents.
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Step 5
Understand the homestudy process. Homestudy requirements vary by state, so check with your social worker for the specific criteria adoptive families need to meet. Generally, social workers are looking for adoptive parents who have good marriages, have thought through the reasons for adopting, understand the changes that will come with parenting. In general, family finances should be sufficient to care for another child.
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Step 6
Gather the documents required by the agency as quickly as you can. Most potential adoptive parents take a few months to complete their homestudy and there is nothing wrong with that.
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Step 7
Schedule your homestudy visit and try not to go crazy cleaning the house or obsessing over small things (though you probably will anyway). Remember that most social workers are very accommodating and just want to make sure that your house is a safe place for a child. No one is going to go over your house with a “white glove” or criticize you because something isn’t perfect.
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Step 8
Remember that the homestudy is just one part of the adoption and, while it is important, it doesn’t decide your worth as a potential parent. Parents of every age, background, income and many with disabilities have all become successful adoptive parents.
