Getting a home ready for a new family member takes some planning around space, safety and the routines of the first few weeks. The steps below are written for a child joining the household, whether as a baby, through adoption or through fostering. They run in an order that puts the child’s own space first, then the hazards, then the daily set-up, so nothing is left until the week they arrive.
Start by deciding which room will be theirs, even if it only fits a bed, a wardrobe and a chest of drawers. Foster carers are asked to have a spare bedroom that isn’t shared, and one of the first questions people ask is “how long does it take to become a foster carer“, with a typical answer of four to six months from enquiry to approval. That leaves time to clear the room, paint it and wait to choose bedding and posters with the child once they’ve moved in.
Look at each room from a child’s eye level and note anything they could pull, climb or fall from. Fit restrictors so upstairs windows open 6.5cm at most, put gates at the top and bottom of the stairs, and anchor tall furniture to the wall so a chest of drawers or TV stand can’t tip over when a child climbs it. Tie up blind cords as well, because loose cords are a strangulation hazard for young children. Add boards or netting if banister gaps are wider than 6.5cm.
Clear a shelf, a drawer and a few hooks at the child’s height before they arrive, so they can unpack properly instead of living out of a bag. Space for books, toys and a few photographs helps a new bedroom feel lived in, and it’s worth keeping part of it empty so they can add things that matter to them. Older children may like a box or drawer that’s theirs alone, and letting them choose where things go gives them a say in the house from the first day.
Cupboards at floor level are within easy reach of small children, so fit locks on kitchen cupboards that hold knives, cleaning products and medicines, or move those items up high. Tidy loose cables away, test the smoke alarms and check there’s a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a gas boiler or fire. Leave plug socket covers off, because they can interfere with the socket’s own safety mechanism.
Keep the first week simple, with fewer visitors, familiar meals and a quiet corner where the child can retreat when things feel busy. Agree who handles night waking, the school run and cooking before they arrive, so the household isn’t deciding as it goes. A home that’s safe and relaxed matters more to a new arrival than one that looks complete, and the rest of the room can be finished together as they settle in.
P.S. Before you zip off to your next Internet pit stop, check out these 2 game changers below - that could dramatically upscale your life.
1. Check Out My Book On Enjoying A Well-Lived Life: It’s called "Your To Die For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret Before Your Time Runs Out." Think of it as your life’s manual to cranking up the volume on joy, meaning, and connection. Learn more here.
2. Life Review Therapy - What if you could get a clear picture of where you are versus where you want to be, and find out exactly why you’re not there yet? That’s what Life Review Therapy is all about.. If you’re serious about transforming your life, let’s talk. Learn more HERE.
Think about subscribing for free weekly tools here.
No SPAM, ever! Read the Privacy Policy for more information.
