One of the suggestions made at my host parent training was to make up a list of house rules and have it translated into Russian. Surprisingly, this has been more difficult than I'd thought.
One of the problems is that our "house rules," in many cases, are things that are already understood... they're a given. Some are understood because we've taught the boys-- over and over. (We do not play Superman by jumping off the kitchen counters.) Some are understood because, well, it's just common sense. But oftentimes, common sense has to be taught; and what is common sense to us, may not be so obvious to Vlad. So to articulate some of these rules, takes some thought. There are also rules of self preservation (DO NOT track mud onto Mom's freshly mopped kitchen floor!) But hopefully, we won't have to go into those!
Unfortunately, there are also some rules that must be stated (to my own children at least) that I'm guessing most parents don't even have to consider.
For example-
To my own children, I should not have to say "It's ok to pee outside when no one else is here, but please don't do it when we have company." Or, "Don't pee on the dog." Unfortunately, we've had this conversation more than once.
Hopefully, I won't have to address this issue with Vlad.
But how to explain about the air conditioning and keeping the doors and windows shut?
I'm curious. If you had to make a list of house rules for someone who didn't speak your language and who had never been a part of an American family... what would your list look like?
One of the problems is that our "house rules," in many cases, are things that are already understood... they're a given. Some are understood because we've taught the boys-- over and over. (We do not play Superman by jumping off the kitchen counters.) Some are understood because, well, it's just common sense. But oftentimes, common sense has to be taught; and what is common sense to us, may not be so obvious to Vlad. So to articulate some of these rules, takes some thought. There are also rules of self preservation (DO NOT track mud onto Mom's freshly mopped kitchen floor!) But hopefully, we won't have to go into those!
Unfortunately, there are also some rules that must be stated (to my own children at least) that I'm guessing most parents don't even have to consider.
For example-
To my own children, I should not have to say "It's ok to pee outside when no one else is here, but please don't do it when we have company." Or, "Don't pee on the dog." Unfortunately, we've had this conversation more than once.
Hopefully, I won't have to address this issue with Vlad.
But how to explain about the air conditioning and keeping the doors and windows shut?
I'm curious. If you had to make a list of house rules for someone who didn't speak your language and who had never been a part of an American family... what would your list look like?
No comments:
Post a Comment