Why you shouldn't worry about the Homestudy

Home study visits primarily serve to ensure your home meets State licensing standards (e.g., working smoke alarms, safe storage of firearms, safe water, adequate space for each child, etc.).   If you are using the Adoption through the State method, the State will perform the homestudy.  The agency or State will generally require the worker to see all areas of the house or apartment, including where the children will sleep, the basement, and the back yard. He or she will be looking for how you plan to accommodate a new family member (or members, if you are planning to adopt a sibling group). Social workers are not typically inspecting your housekeeping standards so don’t worry about a white glove test. 

If you are adopting through an agency, the homestudy was basically hired by you.  Think about it, you are paying for their services.  You are the customer.   Typically they are there to advise you on your home and not to keep you from moving to the next step in your adoption.   So rest easy that this is not a hurdle but a turn in the road.   God Bless you.

How to Install a Car Seat

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
The birth of a new child brings many challenges, one of which is ensuring your baby stays safe. Incorrect installation of a car seat is often overlooked, resulting in putting your newborn’s life in danger. By following the steps set forth in this TaskMap you can rest assured knowing that each trip your baby goes on is a safe one.

Steps

Rear Facing Car Seat

1. Place the car seat in the backseat. Face the car seat towards rear window. Using the backseat is always safer for infants, this is especially true in a car with air bags. If it is necessary to place the baby in the passenger seat be sure to turn off passenger airbag (Refer to the owner's manual on how to do so).
2. Attach seat belt tightly to car seat base. Check owner's manual/ seat belt label for tightening instructions . New car seats may use lower latch anchors to attach the car seat, refer to manual for instructions on how to use these anchors. WARNING: Do not use lower anchors and seat belts together. The car seat is tight when you pull it side to side and it does more than 1 inch.
3. Ensure car seat in reclined sufficiently, this is so that the baby's head will wont flop forward. Never tilt the car seat more than halfway (45 degrees) back. Use indicator on the car seat or base as a guide. If necessary place rolled towel under the base (only if manual says it is okay to do so).
4. Dress baby in tight clothing. This will help prevent irritation from the crotch strap. Do not dress the baby in heavy clothes as tighten the straps snugly may not be possible.
5. Put shoulder straps in lowest possible position. Use slots next to or below baby's shoulders and position chest clip at armpit level.
6. Tuck rolled up blankets along the baby's sides. Padding helps get the baby comfortable. Never use inserts, blankets, or towels under or behind the baby.
7. Roll up and place a washcloth between the baby and the crotch strap.
8. Adjust the harness straps. If you can pinch a loop of the strap, tighten the harness more.
9. Cover baby with a blanket. During cold weather, it is especially important keep your baby's body warm. Make sure blankets are tucked in under the baby and cannot cover baby's face and neck.

Front Facing Car Seat

1. Read the instruction manual. Each car seat requires different harness slots, so it's best you determine this information from the manual specific to the car seat you're using.
2. Place the car seat in the back of your car. The base should be flat on the seat of the car and the back should be straight up against the cushion. Raise or remove head restraints if necessary.
3. Find the belt path on the car seat. It should be marked with stickers (usually located in the back of the seat).
4. Attach the car seat's tethers to your car's tether anchor. If your car seat doesn't have tethers, consider calling your manufacterer to see if they can be added—they can dramatically increase safety in your car [1].
5. Ensure a snug harness. Consider having your installation double-checked by a child passenger safety technician to ensure proper installation.

Video

Tips

• Unless provided with no alternative, always install the car in the back seat facing the rear window (for rear facing car seats). If this is not possible, ensure that the passenger air bag is turned off (check your car’s owner’s manual for directions on shutting off the airbag). The force that the airbag deploys in is so great that it could kill your child (even if the accident was a simple fender bender), do not take this risk.
• Use the infant rear facing car seat as long as possible, meaning; until the baby’s head is within 1 inch of the top shell of the car seat or until the baby reaches the car seat’s weight limit. Once your baby has outgrown the infant car seat, move onto using a rear-facing convertible seat. The rear facing convertible should be used until as long as possible (until your child has outgrown the seat).
• Singing or playing with your baby will help calm him down
• Use the angle indicator to ensure that the car seat is reclined properly
• In many countries, Police stations will check your car seat installation if you have any doubts about it being properly secured. In other countries, the local DMV equivalent will be the correct government body for such inspections -check your local regulations. A car accident could happen at any time, its best to ensure your child’s safety.
• Due to changes in regulations, some (even slightly) used car-seats may now be illegal -check before you buy.
• Also check with the manufacturer if parts of a car seats have been recalled (this has happened), since many will offer free upgrade kits or repairs.

Warnings

• Never remove a child from their car seat while the vehicle is in motion
• Do not use latch anchors and seat belts together to secure a car seat
• Do not dress your child in too many layers as this may make it difficult or impossible to secure the harness straps

Related wikiHows

• How to Buy Car Seat Covers
• How to Keep a Child Car Seat Dryer While Potty Training
• How to Make a Desk Chair from a Car Seat
• How to Reupholster a Dining Chair Seat
• How to Travel by Plane With an Infant or Toddler

Sources and Citations

• http://www.carseatsite.com/installing_your_car_seat.htm

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