How intrusive is the home study? A couple concerns

No, neither of those things will come up in the background check. The only things that will come up are arrests, criminal convictions, and history of child abuse allegations. Beyond that, they only know what you, your references, or your doctor (on the health form) tells them. You should know that it is perfectly normal to be nervous and paranoid about the homestudy, but it is not nearly as intrusive as you (and I think most people) imagine. I was paranoid that they would find out about stuff that I didn't want them to know, including a mental health diagnosis that I chose not to disclose (the doctor who filled out my health form didn't know about it either). In the end, if you have no arrests/criminal convictions/child abuse allegations, can show that you make more than you spend, are in reasonably good health, and have a decent place to live, you'll be fine.

Nobody and no one in the world is perfect. Nor will that ever happen. No family is perfect. They even have a name of what they're looking for "good enough" parents. We may think of ourselves as *excellent* parents, but anyone with a drab of self-awareness knows they're not a *perfect* parent.Remember, these are social workers. They are comparing you to people who've broken 20 of their own children's bones, who don't see the necessity to be home with children, who don't feed their children, who leave their children w/ someone they barely know for 3 days at a time and do that *often* -- and see nothing much wrong with all that. It's hard to really shock a SW. With that said, individual SWs/ LWs have quirks. You might say something that triggers them. They might ask for clarification, or ask you to do something to change it. Example: My LW told me, "You are going to have to stop having homeless people living in your van you rarely use, that's parked in front of your house." (!!!) I said, "Well, I can't STOP, because I never STARTED, I never said *anything* to you about letting homeless people live in it. The very idea creeps me out." Something like that could happen to you. Many of them interview a group of people all at once, then get busy, then write the reports later. They get stuff from different people mixed up. They tell you to CHANGE anything in the homestudy you feel is wrong... do so! Just be ready for it.At same time, they HAVE to be able to be in multiple people's homes, grasp how they're different from other people, and still understand those people are ALL good parents and should be licensed.Re: Online gambling. Why mention that to anyone? If I play sudoku or jigsaw puzzles online, BUT spend my "disposable income" at the store buying clothes... what's the diff? We both are wasting money at something we don't need, and it's nobody's beeswax, IMO. *Including* in a home study. No one asked me, "How do you spend your disposable income?" and again, how could that be their business?Re: The meds you purchased. Again, why mention it? I highly doubt anyone would ask that specific question. I wouldn't bring it up. The normal questions are invasive enough -- we all need to have common sense about not volunteering what we don't need to.If it were me, and the subject did come up, I would say, "You know I did that once, felt bad about it afterwards, decided not to do again." But how could the person imagine asking?It will be invasive, more than you wish. Weird stuff might happen in the middle of it, but we survive... and get licensed. Best of success to you in this.

I agree with the others that I can't imagine the things you are worried about would come up in a home study unless you were investigated and charged. And I agree that you shouldn't volunteer it. These types of "crimes" are almost impossible to enforce. The difference between these two things is that online gambling is against the law in most states. Ridiculous considering that many of these same states have casinos, card rooms and the lottery...guess who backs such laws? *You got it!Good luck with your home study and your journey. *

Thanks for the responses everyone. No, I do not plan on volunteering everything. I just didn't want to get caught in a potentially embarrassing situation. Like, I know they want a medical report from my Doctor which might include Rx's I am on. So if I don't tell the Home Study group I take this medication I ordered from the online pharmacy and it "somehow" showed up somewhere in their checking, it would look very bad. But reassuring to hear I was getting worked up for nothing

The SWs are not GOD... You do't owe them information that is not within the jurisdiction of parenting. And even then, it is not like you are appearing before a judge. I would suggest going to a different doctor for a health assessment. This isn't about what medication you take!!

Wow, this whole thing really gets stressful! Your case worker is a government employee...I have had good ones, and bad ones, but really, I compare them to people who work at the DMV. They dont wanna do ANY work they dont have to, so you are SAFE!!! But seriously, those things you mentioned are tiny,tiny,tiny, and you would be safe even with the hardest working detective on your tail. Cant believe someone else who responded to your post got babies so quick!!! I gotta get to California quick beofre they are all gone : )))):moped: