A Foster Mom Gains Control Over Her Home

Dana here: I received this email a while back, and I hope it encourages you. I hear from so many people who desperately want to foster and/or adopt but are held back by the fear of a home inspection. I love hearing about the power and impact of these four simple habits. If you’re overwhelmed and have no idea where to start, start with the habits. Go wash your dishes. 

Hi Dana,

I just needed to write and let you know what a lifesaver you have been to my family over the last couple of months. First, a little background.

My family is in the process of becoming a licensed foster home in our state. We’ve done this before when we adopted our amazing son from foster care several years ago. What you may not know about foster care licensing is that it requires a series of home visits during which a social worker will inspect your house.

They are free to open the door to any and all rooms as well as inspect any drawer, cabinet or closet they see fit. They can even check the inside of your car. Nerve wracking for a slob like me to say the least. However, for several weeks we have been religiously following your daily tasks and slowly getting our home under control.

We received an email on a Sunday saying that the social worker would be out on Thursday and we didn’t even need to panic. We just added a little deep cleaning and changed the five minute pick up to a ten minute tidy and we were ready in time.

Two weeks later we received less than 24 hours notice that she was coming back, but because we had kept up our daily habits, we just did an extra hour or so of cleaning and we were ready for the visit.

We have one visit left that can be scheduled any time now and even after the chaos of Christmas, we’re ready. After we are licensed, DFCS can pop in anytime with no warning and do an inspection so we have to keep all of this up, but I’m confident that we will be able to be “pop in visit” ready going forward. I never would have said that a year ago.

Thank you so much for the coaching and cheerleading that you provide all of us through your blog and podcasts. I plan on buying your new book when my husband gets paid this Friday (asked for it for Christmas, but no such luck) and I know I will learn even more.

Thanks again for your openness and heart,

Kim D.

And a later update from Kim:

I just wanted to update you. I ordered your book and have read it twice now. I really need to go write an Amazon review. But I wanted to let you know that because of your blog, podcasts, and book, I’ve been able to get my home under control and keep it under control even with homeschooling and the ups and downs of the adoption process.

Not only does getting the house under control mean that we could get licensed to foster, it means that we are able to provide him a home with a minimum of chaos and we can focus on what’s really important, our family.

Thank you so much for all the ways you inspire, coach, and support us all!

 

 

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