Reply to Changing the name of an internationally adoped child

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]11:40 here. I agree that it is a given she will lose her Russian within a year. When I mentioned "activities" I wasn't even thinking about Russian summer camps or language classes. I think that would put an undue burden on the family. They have enough problems trying to integrate this child into their family and teach her English, and now they have to pay for Russian classes, too? As for  Russian embassy sponsored events, my first reaction is stay the hell away, although I admit that's just my personal prejudice.

The one thing in particular I was thinking about was this art studio in Gaithersburg. It has a very open, creative atmosphere, something that could be beneficial and therapeutic to all their children during this stressful time. The classes are in English, but the teacher and many of the students are Russian, and it's a good way to meet nice, happy, well-adjusted Russian children and adults, again something both the children and the parents can benefit from. [/quote]

Actually, research has shown the difficulties that kids have with learning when they rapidly lose their native language before they have command of the second language.  It's called subtractive bilingualism.  The girl would benefit greatly from keeping up her Russian -- and having Russian-speakers to talk to during her first few months in the US.  These parents are going about this all wrong, unfortunately.

Again, listen to what adult international adoptees have to say on this (not that they're monolithic...) -- this girl is not a baby for whom the loss of language/birth culture is abstract (but still very real to a lot of internationally adopted kids who were adopted as infants or very young toddlers).  Her losses are going to be very real, even if she's gaining a good family (misguided perhaps, but hopefully they'll be good parents...).  International adoption, including life after international adoption, should not be about the parents' desires/comfort, but what's going to be most beneficial to the child.[/quote]

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