GAL visit coming up. Any pointers?

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GAL visit coming up. Any pointers?
Topic Started: Feb 7 2010, 09:44 AM (157 Views)
FreeAtLast	Feb 7 2010, 09:44 AM Post #1
Over 10 posts Posts: 90 Group: Active Member Member #4,986 Joined: June 10, 2009	So, (and sorry if I am repeating myself), I was finally awarded full primary physical custody of our boys at Thanksgiving. But, a GAL was appointed. She is very nice and both Wacko and I have met with her separately. She completed her home visit with him last week. She is coming to my house this week. Any good advice?



oneflewover	Feb 7 2010, 01:26 PM Post #2
Over 1000 posts Posts: 1,282 Group: Senior Member Member #5,199 Joined: November 22, 2009	I re-sent those notes and article on home studies/evaluations to you. I just wanted to follow up and say that the main purpose of a home study is for the evaluator to recommend "a plan which maximizes the children’s exposure to the strengths each parent has to offer." This must be your focus, your strengths as a parent and not so much his weaknesses as a parent, and how your strengths benefit your kiddos.
	One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest ~Alis volat propriis


Haggis	Feb 7 2010, 03:35 PM Post #3
Over 1000 posts Posts: 2,122 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: October 11, 2007	Relax and be yourself. You will do fine. My kids really did me proud the day we got the home visit. They were playful and fun and the time whizzed past. The evaluator will probably be interested in the sleeping arrangements, does the house look safe and functional and age appropriate and is it likely that the children feel and are safe & comfortable there. The standard is not perfection. It is safety first and foremost. Be honest and don't try to fake anything (other than maybe making the house a tad tidier and cleaner than usual of course) My ex really screwed up because the day of the home visit she decided to hang a bunch of pictures to decorate the kids rooms and took down their art projects (that I had worked on with them) to make their rooms look better That backfired and made it into the evaluation. You might find a few things in the separating & divorcing page http://www.outofthefog.net/Relationships/SeparatingAndDivorcing.html Also deltabravo has some good stuff on custody evaluations http://deltabravo.net/custody/guide.php
	Often wrong but never in doubt.


oneflewover	Feb 7 2010, 03:58 PM Post #4
Over 1000 posts Posts: 1,282 Group: Senior Member Member #5,199 Joined: November 22, 2009	deltabravo is an excellent site on these kinds of divorce/custody matters. In fact I probably sent you their articles as I reference them a lot! I would not do a home makeover for this visit by any means.....I would simply let the evaluator see how your day to day life is. One thing however is they do pay attention to pet matters....I have seen way too many home studies where the evaluator mentioned litter box smells or dog dander/hair matters. For some reason it seems to be issues they like to hone in on. Why on those things, who knows.....so if you have pets.....deodorize, vacuum, disinfect, etc.!!! We had a case in which the evaluator took exception to the multiple litter boxes in the house. Guess she didn't like cats? The report actually addressed feline parasitic exposure to the toddler concerns. Yikes! Otherwise keep the sports wear and gear out, artwork clutter on fridge up, toys out and in the open, etc. Good luck with this home study and let us know how it went! OFO
	One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest ~Alis volat propriis


FreeAtLast	Feb 7 2010, 09:19 PM Post #5
Over 10 posts Posts: 90 Group: Active Member Member #4,986 Joined: June 10, 2009	thanks, guys. I'll check out the delta site. Never heard of it. And, OneFlew... I have not rec'd any emails from you. I believe I have my gmail address in my profile. Wonder why I didn't get anything?? I am so techno - backwards! It's amazing I even found OutOfTheFogSite, much less figured out how to post on the forum (or sort of figured it out!)...



2bad	Feb 7 2010, 11:18 PM Post #6
Over 1000 posts Posts: 1,037 Group: Moderator Member #4,892 Joined: March 8, 2009	I have a hard time commenting on GAL stuff, given that I had one of the worst. lol. Seriously, the L won't even refer to her anymore. But I have to say to just be yourself. Act naturally. It will be fine.
	I'm not hyper, I'm enthusiastic.

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