Should we paint our wall before SW visit?

[hackneylady]

I can't believe I'm asking but it's a serious question! SW from an LA we want to adopt through is coming around next week. We moved in to our house late last year and have one (small) kitchen wall that has a biggish damp patch and some rawl plug holes from previous owners' shelves. One of those things we've been meaning to get around to . Do we need to sort before he comes? Will he think we're chaotic and can't keep a decent home?! I'm probably over-thinking this but have become slightly fixated on this...

Also - I'd really appreciate your help with a process question. The LA suggested visiting us. I thought that this was all part of the initial exploratory discussions - we have not yet finally made up our minds to go with them - but now I'm doubting myself and wondering why would they come and visit us at an early exploratory stage? Is this normal process at this stage? Thanks very much.

Yes, normal for an early visit. I think it helps them get a feel for you and your set up, a chance for you to ask questions, they can check whether it's logistically feasible to complete the home study travelling to you etc.

I wouldn't paint the wall specially (you can say that you're aware there are a few things you would need to resolve around the house), but it's perhaps a good motivation to get it sorted anyway...?

Have you decided which biscuits you will have out?

Good luck !

I would paint it because it will give you something to do and will stop you worrying about it, freeing up your mind for the important decisions - what biscuits to serve.

I agree with Kew. It really, really, really doesn't matter but I bet you will be glad when you have done it. On the biscuit front I think rich tea are the way to go.

I agree with Kew. It is obviously on your mind - for you to post here - and you will want to do it at some point. So I would just get on with it.

But if you don't get round to it - please don't fixate on it...I am sure your home will present as lovely

Lol the biscuit dilemma! Hubby and I were and still are overweight although less so than a few years back so we had real dilemma on biscuit front. Did we offer them because that would make us look like we bought biscuits and ate them (we actually don't anyway). Good old local shop came to the rescue with a marked down box of xmas biscuit selection in March, so thought it looked like we'd bought it or been given them at xmas and still had them 3 months later!
If it were me I'd paint the wall, they won't worry about it but I would have done plus there is likely to be loads of other stuff you'll need to do during the process so that will be one less for you?

Thank you so much for all the really helpful advice!

So...we did not paint the wall. Backstory is that there was actually a much bigger and more important job (sorry, should have mentioned!) in clearing out the potential LO's room, which was chock full of boxes and really made us look like we didn't care. So we did that and felt a huge sense of achievement but also exhausted so I took your good advice that I could just chalk it up to one of those things we needed to do.

In the end, he barely glanced at the kitchen, but was v pleased with spare rooms.

The biscuit situation was MOST challenging because he asked for water instead of tea - it was a warm day - and I was all like 'do I give him a biscuit with his water? Would that be weird? What would Mumsnet say?'. I didn't give him a biscuit.

Aaaaanyway, he seemed to think we were ok as we've been invited onto a prep group starting next month so it's all happening!

Thanks so much again for the advice and being so patient with my wobble.

I so glad the visit went well. It sounds like you did the right thing to clear the spare room.

Best of luck for the future. I hope it all works out.

Btw - the no biscuit thing was fine too. I used to do lots of home visits and would only ask for water, otherwise I would get tea ithat was way too hot and I have to sit there waiting for it too cool for ages.

They always ask for water - then don't drink it.

The prep course covers what biscuits to offer and when don;t worry.

Congratulations.

Kew I assume you mean the MN version of the prep course, that tells you what you really need to know?

OP, glad it wasn't too traumatic, and a big well done on the clearout and the successful meeting. Hope all goes really well for you.