Family Photo Book

Create this before you leave for Ukraine and take it with you to each orphanage visit. I don’t remember who told us to do this. But I saw it somewhere and thought it was a great idea. Your children will be involuntarily forced into a new world with you. While this sounds harsh, it is the reality. It is the struggle before the victory, the victory being a unified and loving family. One way you can ease that transition is to create a photo book of your house, family, and pets. Under each write the captions in English, as well as how you would say it if speaking Russian. For example:

[Photo of Grandma and Grandpa]

This is your Grandma. “Ett-a  tvy-AH  BAH-boosh-ka.”

This is your Grandpa. “Ett-a  TVOY  DYEH-doosh-ka.”

(The syllable in caps is the syllable that is stressed.)

This will familiarize your child (regardless of age) of their new home and also allow them to begin hearing English and what it translates to. It is supposed to help with the transition.