In the movies, a guy does years in prison and then the moment he is released there are 100 people waiting at the local bar to welcome him home. He walks in, grabs a beer and the band is playing on stage very loudly. Movies are not real life. A party will be great, but not the first day. Here are some tips to help you prepare for his homecoming. Make the house spotless: Even if he wasn’t a clean freak when he went in, he will be when he gets out. It is an unwritten code of ethics that inmates maintain spotless cells. They are forced to live in such close quarters they really have no choice. So that he is comfortable when he gets home, make the house sparkle. For the first few weeks, he will probably clean constantly. Enjoy it while it lasts. It often wears off. Plan a quiet week: As exciting as it is to come home, it is an adjustment. He is coming from a loud, at times dangerous and highly structured environment to the house where he can do what he wants, when he wants to. It will take some time for him to adapt. For the first few evenings home, don’t invite a bunch of people over. Plan quiet dinners, some television and letting him unwind and get his bearings. Send emails to everyone: The best way to discourage friends and family from stopping by before he is ready to see everyone is to send out a mass email. Announce that he is home and looks forward to seeing everyone, and that you will be in touch next week to plan a gathering. Hopefully, they will get the hint. Of course, his parents, siblings and other very close people are an exception, and he will probably love seeing them as soon as possible. Give him time: Most inmates are chatterboxes as soon as they get in the car from prison, but after a few hours or a day, they become quiet and their loved ones worry that something is wrong. He just needs time to process that he is really home. The entire time he was locked up, he had to be on his guard, worry something would happen that would delay his release and deal with prison guards. Don’t be surprised if he spends a few days mentally processing what he has been through before he can relax. Final thoughts: Just remember that things will settle in soon and your lives will pick up again. He will need some time to readjust, but with your support and love and good home cooking it won’t take long at all. Plan that party for a week or two from now. Check Out: For Ex-Prisoners, A Haven Away From The Streets Lil Boosie Talks About Getting Out Of Jail