Moving In Questions

These are some of the questions you might want to ask as you prepare for a child to move in to your home. Some are more related to older children some more to younger children. It is good for adoptive parents to go through this list together and decided which ones are most important to you and add any questions that are pertinent to you own situation.

Questions to ask when you prepare for a child to move in.

Getting to Know You Questions

  1. What is your favorite and least favorite foods?
  2. What would you prefer to be called? (ie.Tony rather than Anthony)
  3. What would you like to call me? (provide choices)
  4. What are your favorite things to do?
  5. What do you dislike doing?
  6. What is your favorite book and or movie?
  7. What type of music do you listen to? Doing you have a favorite band/singer?
  8. What is something that you have done that you are proud of?
  9. Who do you currently spend the most time with?
  10. What is your favorite and least favorite subject in school?
  11. When you are online where do you spend the most time?
  12. Do you have a favorite app or social media platform?
  13. If you could choose the activities to do that would make a perfect day, what would you choose?
  14. If you could go on an all expense paid vacation where would you go and who would you like to go with you?
  15. Do you have any special holiday traditions?
  16. What do you think you need the most to be successful?

Questions for Moving In

  1. Explain that everyone in the house has duties and ask what duties would the like to help with? Restructure chores to include youth. Utilize a family meeting to get input from everyone.
  2. You want to provide a safe home. What are your expectations for him/her? (I.e. Front door locked? Call if going to be late?)
  3. Let them know everything in the house belong to the family and that they and you are now “family.” Is there something they can’t touch? (crystal? Things in your bathroom? Tools?)
  1. Rules about homework and discuss what is to be expected and when is a good time to ask for homework help. Is there a special place for them to do homework?
  2. When can they have friends over (only when you are home?) Do you want to meet the kid’s parents first?
  3. Visiting friends, your rules… Spell them out.
  4. Rules about using a phone- when (after dinner, school, and homework?) who would they like to call? How do you handle calls during meal times?
  5. Rules about the internet and computer time, including hand held devices and video games.
  6. Do they have a cell phone if they get one what are the rules surrounding it?
  7. Dress code- explain what you think is appropriate for school and for weekends. When you feel their choice is not appropriate, they will be asked to change clothes and still make the school bus, etc.
  8. What may frighten them: do they want a night light? Are they used to someone reading to them at bedtime? Prayers?
  9. Rules about sharing if you have others in the house.
  10. “I’m happy you are here, I want to help you feel safe and happy. Please let me know how I can help you fell safe here and in school.”