Everyone's an expert

I'm not sure if I'm the only one who has experienced this, but I thought I'd record what I have been thinking and feeling since I have become pregnant.  I always knew that my husband and I would do some things differently.  As I have said previously I plan to raise my daughter (yes it's a girl) in a bilingual environment.  Here's the thing though, I am realistic about having plans set in stone.  I am a first time parent! I don't know what is ahead of me and I KNOW that things don't go according to plan.  As much as I appreciate the ideas and advice people give I don't think as a new parent I can take everything on. It's impossible to take in every ounce of information and yet form your own opinions.  I think it would be great if you could get a magical book that would reveal all about parenting.  The reality is what worked for one parent will not necessarily work for another.  Even looking at two children in the same family, raising both the same way does not always work.  Kids are different. So I thought I'd record this post as a reminder to my self.
GO WITH YOUR GUT! Take in the things that you think will work for you.  Ask loads of questions of those who are parents but at the end of the day go with what feels right for you.  The only thing I have to go on, is what I see from my classroom day to day.  The conclusion I came to is that all children are different and the circumstances that people are in are different.  No one said that parenting is going to be easy.  I can only imagine at this stage how hard it must be.  So when something doesn't work try something else.  The easy way is not always the best so we have to persevere when the going gets tough but at the end of the day if what you are trying feels completely wrong and every inch of your being tells you that there has to be a better way.... then maybe there could be.  Do your best! Don't sweat the little things! Give yourself a break!

Breaking the News

Finding out that you're going to be a new parent is exciting and a little terrifying at the same time. As most mums to be I was starting to think about all the possibilities of what my new role would bring, the changes I would experience and how I would cope in general. I think what was unusual in my household was that being Russian we already started to do things differently to some of my kiwi friends. 

The expectation from my parents was that we would live with them for the first few months after baby's arrival. We are incredibly lucky to have the support of my parents but I also think this could be a cultural thing. In my house, we have always been together for life's challenges. The thought that we would pick up and leave the nest (even though we own our own home) at a time when we would need the most support was just out of the question.

Secondly collecting resources is not so easy when you are considering two languages. I'm a teacher so finding English speaking resources for me is not difficult. I generally know the go to sites, book shops etc, however, where do I start with the Russian material. I have been lucky to have two relatives go visit Russia in the past few months. Both have come back with books and CDs. What would I do without my family? 

The other subject on everyone's mind is how do we ensure that this chid gets equal exposure to Russian and English? We have discussed what language who will speak with bub, we have also discussed kindergartens (baby hasn't even arrived yet and won't do until next year). 

So watch this space as I explore the answers to my questions. If you're in the same boat as me maybe we can share resources that have been useful along the way.