tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088576474458664356.post1929348904347824097..comments2022-03-28T10:35:49.338+03:00Comments on Missionary Mom's Companion: Turning over that TCK leafPhyllishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09529794989164847124noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088576474458664356.post-229824684876879802013-02-28T21:34:46.011+03:002013-02-28T21:34:46.011+03:00Hi Taylor ~
Does this mean that your kids will on...Hi Taylor ~<br /><br />Does this mean that your kids will only be in school April - June of this year while you are on furlough? And what are your kids' ages?Richelle Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04083189929795613771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088576474458664356.post-6996138977882364162013-02-28T01:23:55.680+03:002013-02-28T01:23:55.680+03:00Hey guys, I just found this blog although I have k...Hey guys, I just found this blog although I have known Ashley since we were both newly marrieds! I would appreciate any advice as we are going on our first real furlough in April through late August . My kids will go to American school as it is required for them to advance to the next grade in Bosnia. Help! <br /><br />taylorAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08589037660432501511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088576474458664356.post-17269392212611775722013-02-26T01:08:14.965+03:002013-02-26T01:08:14.965+03:00having a definite limit/specific date of return or...having a definite limit/specific date of return or something concrete certainly helps. we've spent much of the past two years not knowing - first if we'd be able to stay and then second, what will happen and how long we'll be back in the states. so we've definitely spoken frequently with our kids on this - bringing up the topic, but then letting them lead the conversation if they want to talk.<br /><br />my girls show nothing but disdain for the boy crazy culture they run into in the states - as well as all of the concern about clothes and specific styles, etc. thankfully, at least with the oldest two, they are quite comfortable in their own skin and seem to have found a niche that they like the person God is making them to be, eccentricities and uniqueness all rolled into one. fb has also been a great tool because sometimes, it allows their two worlds to mix and cross.<br /><br />thanks for those prayers!Richelle Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04083189929795613771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088576474458664356.post-25292220555728864452013-02-26T01:04:25.288+03:002013-02-26T01:04:25.288+03:00that is true. my older kids struggle with the fact...that is true. my older kids struggle with the fact that there are parts they call home in both places, but i do think life in africa feels more comfortable.<br /><br />we did the shorter, more frequent furloughs at first - but the mere fact of moving a family our size that frequently made it totally not a good idea for us. :-)<br /><br />we also encourage our kids to get involved - but it is a bit of a balance between encouraging involvement and recognizing their need for retreat and space as well.Richelle Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04083189929795613771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088576474458664356.post-49666484187995167992013-02-25T23:55:07.875+03:002013-02-25T23:55:07.875+03:00i think the craziest part of the challenge for us ...i think the craziest part of the challenge for us is that our kids span the gamut, really: ages 4 to 17 and a whole bunch in between. it is different for each age, as well.<br /><br />our oldest 6 have all spent time in local schools - but here everything is french as a second language because most kids first language is a tribal one. so in that sense, they were in pretty much the same boat.<br /><br />i think it is hard as they realize they are different. but it is also hard when they realize they aren't different, as well. we saw that in one of ours, when she switched over to the expat international school after attending local schools or school as an mk back in the states. she didn't like blending in so much! our oldest has struggled with college choices - at first he was leaning towards one where he knew he'd know some of the other mks attending. he finally went with one that had the better academic program for what he wants for the future - but he knows that that comes with a cost. praying it has been the right choice.<br /><br />i love listening to my kids as well - i think i get so much more from our conversations than even i have a clue. after His Word, God speaks to me most often through these kiddos.<br /><br />thanks for your sweet, encouraging words, ashley.Richelle Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04083189929795613771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088576474458664356.post-35884673187698258822013-02-25T23:48:14.549+03:002013-02-25T23:48:14.549+03:00I guess we get out a bit easy because our trips ba...I guess we get out a bit easy because our trips back are shorter--only a couple of months. We still have issues with adjusting, but knowing it's for a fixed time helps everyone keep it in perspective. "We only have a few more weeks, we can do this!" etc. Because our kids are teen girls, the reverse shock is in how much emphasis their peers are putting on guys and fashion and girl drama. And trying to catch up to current events like singers or movies or TV shows that all their friends will be talking about. A little internet research ahead of time helps us all catch up a bit. (Some things we'd rather remain "lagging behind" on... haha) Prayers for y'all as you dive into it!Christiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16007668779683965884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088576474458664356.post-58668931683472438062013-02-25T18:37:41.803+03:002013-02-25T18:37:41.803+03:00I love the way someone put it, "When we are o...I love the way someone put it, "When we are on the plane to America, my husband and I are going home. When we are on the plane back to Turkey, my kids are coming home." Richelle, I think talking with your kids is the best thing to do! Bless you while you seek to do that with 8 of them!!!<br /><br />When we went home for our first-ever year long furlough 3 years ago, my kids were dreading it. My daughter cried every night our first month back stateside. I listened to her until I thought I'd go crazy from exasperation! But amazingly, they did adjust and ended up having a great year. I got my kids involved in church youth and other activities as quickly as possible to get them involved in life stateside.Betsy de Cruzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07081162585307212930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4088576474458664356.post-66892825981344908412013-02-25T14:52:41.270+03:002013-02-25T14:52:41.270+03:00This is so great, Richelle. I am thinking of and p...This is so great, Richelle. I am thinking of and praying for your amazing family and the major transitions coming up. I love how much you talk/listen to your kids in things like this. They are blessed to have you as a mother! <br /><br />We are just stepping into the reality of TCK life as our kids are just now getting old enough to realize that they are different, both here in Russia, and "home" in the US. Our re-entry struggles are minor since we only go back for shorter trips and our kids are all ages 7 and under(things like helping them know what to expect when going to American Sunday school, getting used to American food, understanding that the communal attitude of toy sharing that we have on the playground in Russia doesn't exist in the same way in the US...). Here, though, they are starting to realize that they have to work a lot harder just to be "normal," especially in their schools. The oldest two attend Russian kindergarten and first grade, and there is no such thing as Russian as a Second Language and they are the only non-native Russian speakers in their classes. We've been helping them realize that they have a lot to be proud of as they navigate school in Russian as non-native speakers. This has helped because they often don't seem to grasp why things can be so hard. They don't know anything different, so they don't even recognize the extra effort required of them to do the basics as compared to their Russian friends. It has been encouraging for them to realize that they are learning and doing well, despite some unique hurdles in their lives. These issues have been some of the starting point of helping our kids understand who they are as TCKs.Ashley Lhttp://www.thelatvalasinrussia.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com