Yesterday afternoon was our initiation into the world of scary and helpless parenting moments. After an enjoyable second time at the waterpark, Max wasn't looking where he was going and took a hard tumble, scraping his shoulder and bumping his head. Needless-to-say, he was scared and upset! We took him to the first aid on-site where a medic checked him out--this scared him some more--but helped reassure us. After a couple of phone calls to our contacts here, we decided collectively to keep a watch on him through the night. This morning he seemed back to his old self. A lot of details skipped...but once again God met our needs in the right ways and time.
As an aside, we realize that Max's and our frustration at times is the language barrier. Any adoption experiences out there that could speak into this?
We also wanted to share the time-line for the rest of our time here in Hungary. Our 30-day bonding period ends on Oct. 14 when we get official custody. Sunday the 16th we travel to Budapest and on Monday and Tuesday sign all the paperwork, birth certificates, passports, etc. for Max. Our flight out is Wednesday, Oct. 19th. and our anticipated return is 12:25a.m. (6:25 Hungarian time) on the 20th. It will be one long day, but Jeff's dad Dave will be helping us on the return flights....How we anticipate that day!
P. S. For those of you who have tried to post but have not been able to, somebody recommended hitting "preview" and then "post comment."
Can't wait to see you all after the 20th! I am looking forward to meeting Max!
ReplyDeleteMichael Poorman
Try teaching him some baby sign language for the basics. Even though he's a toddler I think it would help.
ReplyDeletePraying for patience in the communication gap with Max and abundant grace to cover over you all. The Lord is your portion and is giving you all you need in each moment!
ReplyDeleteDear Angie and Jeff,
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain..three year olds have a way of running and walking one way while looking in the total opposite direction?!?!? It can truly be maddening. I have watched a little girl who wasn't watching where she was going and crashed into our door..I mean crash!!! Now I understand the term GOOSE EGG for bumps on the Noggin!!!They also fall out of their chairs, sit where there no longer is a chair?!?!...and of course I spend much of our outside time wincing as they run into each other, the playground equipment...and often fall for no real reason at all (I think it is a gravity thing?!?)
I am sure you have gotten tons of tips on the language barrier. I can share that at school have had 5 kids dropped off in our classroom to spend 9 hours in our room and without any English at all. I know that immersion into a foreign language is a way to learn a language...I was surprised the first time we did that with a 3 yr old. Helpless is a great way to describe how we felt, and lots of gestures.
Our experience has been that in our environment some kids would just be quiet...no words...watching everything. Then in about 5 weeks just started speaking Eng. So weird..how fast they learn.
We had one little girl so upset about being in a strange environment who threw up everyday when she was dropped off for a couple of weeks. Then after 4 weeks just started talking away in Eng.
Confusion can reign even with the adults. The worst was the time a Dad dropping off his daughter was speaking Spanish..so we began with a few basic Spanish words with her..but she never responded. When we asked her Dad for a few key Spanish phrases..He said "We do not speak Spanish" Come to find out they were from the middle east. OPPS?!?!Fortunately, they were not upset. I was mortified..did joke we were just trying to make her trilingual?!? ARGH!!!
All I can tell you is that 3 yr olds have amazing abilities to grasp language. A caveat though they can be stubborn..we had a little girl that almost yelled her language at us...I kept trying to communicate with her I couldn't understand her. We also had a little guy who jumbled his Eng/Italian together and neither Mom nor us could understand him..he did sort it out after a month. My favorite lang. story is the little girl who was silent for 4 weeks then one day just looked at me and said "You are funny Ms Sue"..shocked gave her a big hug..she just was a chatter box from then on.
Sounds like what you guys are doing is great!! Because Max can still communicate with others he may be waiting for you two to catch up with him. But he will figure it out, sometimes kiddos blend the two languages, are silent, or a little stubborn about learning. Gesture are great! And he is picking up more than you realize...it will click!!!
Will pray for little victories, words and phrases that will make you both feel like you are connecting.
Angle and Jeff,
ReplyDeleteI've been enjoying reading your posts and praying for you. A dear friend and co-worker adopted a three year old Russian boy four years ago. She and her husband are looking forward to meeting you and being a resource for you if you would like that.
Here are a couple of ideas for language barriers--chances are you've already tried them:
ReplyDeleteMake a game with mommy and daddy over-exaggerating facial expressions or acting going to bed, getting a drink, etc. and work on the words for that expression or activity.
Make a picture book together. Get some paper, cut out or take photos of things, glue or tape them on the papers and talk about them.