Jelly Weasels! W00t!

[kyburg]

I'm going to have to split the adoption stuff off into its own blog, that much is clear. (I'm still getting the pictures scanned - see me after class.)

And the focus, I think, will remain on him. His history, our impressions of his story, pictures for the family, and so on.

He'll get to say what his life is like, from his perspective...when he wishes. If he wishes.

My stuff? Remains my stuff, and in my journal.

But should I move that new journal off LJ? Hmmm. I like the other services, but they don't have one thing that LJ has.

The Friends List. Honest. You can track comments, but if you want to watch other journals - you gotta add them as links on your own page, and follow them yourself. I'll admit, I'm spoiled. But since that journal will be largely a posting dump, I don't think I'd be using that feature much.

But you guys might.

Not an online lifebook. That, I think, needs to have more control on it and should remain paper. Not everyone needs to know everything - and it's his story to tell, as he chooses. I'm already feeling myself pumping the brakes on giving out too much information. There's a lot of information to give - but in all honesty, whoa. Some of this stuff is not going on the net.

I think the biggest hurdle today will be language, but I think insisting on switching to English exclusively will be best, long-term. Yes, he will get Chinese classes in school, when he's of an age for school. But not now.

Getting the money together, thinking about getting the day care together...getting a list of things to find out together. Sis is already planning a baby shower. I'm thinking raffle, too. (Could I get a fundraiser for the travel by itself? That would help a lot.)

Lunch now. Work, too. Man.

Comments

[caitlin.livejournal.com]

Well, considering he is already 2, English shouldn't really be that much of a problem, especially if you want him to retain Chinese some too.

So says someone who didn't speak English before age 2. (that would be me)

Remember also KSCI Channel 18 has some Mandarin and Taiwanese programming.

C.

[jrittenhouse.livejournal.com]

Mere's twin's mom (who is a social worker who specializes in international adoptions) has told me and I've seen for myself that kids transplanted to a American home where Neither Parent Speaks Chinese will lose the Chinese and pick up English only and forget the other.

[caitlin.livejournal.com]

how young were those kids though?

I lost the speaking part too, but have been keeping up since then.

although, oddly, my mother refuses to talk to me in anything other than English.

I have no idea.

C.

[jrittenhouse.livejournal.com]

All sorts of ages. My daughter (adopted at the age of nine months) never really got very far with trying to learn Chinese with my help, but she's tons better with Chinese (all right, Mandarin / Putonghua) pronunciation than I am. (I'm a fair linguist, but the tones knock me around a lot.)

But the cases I've seen - the kids are anywhere from three to eight, and Mere's twin's mom has seen them a whole lot older in that sort of situation - up to around 13 or so, I think.

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

*nods* But boy, I am not looking forward to the transition.

[jrittenhouse.livejournal.com]

I'll ask how long it takes. I'm sure it's variable to the kid. They learn relatively fast, I know.

[cerulean-me.livejournal.com]

Those sound like great plans. A benefit to using LJ, is that it's an easy commute for most of us :D

I am so excited for you.... I commented in Jim's journal last night with an offer for the raffle... if you're interested. At least other raffles I've seen have involved people buying tickets, people donating goods to be raffled off. We don't have much money, but would like to help as much as we can. After seeing you both with my kids that first time I was overwhelmed by how natural you two seemed with them, and how much love you two would have to shower on a child... thus- I want to help!

[machineplay.livejournal.com]

You can use WordPress (easy to install on your own site and maintain control) and have an RSS feed on LJ?

This is all terribly exciting (am just catching up)! Congratulations and please do let people know how they can help. :)

[jrittenhouse.livejournal.com]

You could do what I do; have a Wordpress blog that is totally under your control, and select which ones go over automatically to LJ. (About 99% or more for me). I'd say stick with the single account; less trouble to fool with.

[dandelion-diva.livejournal.com]

That's pretty much what I was going to say. :)

[murphymom.livejournal.com]

First, let me say how happy I am for all three of you! Next - I am not exactly overburdened with wealth (as if any of us are), but I'd like to help in some way. Raffle, auction, whatever...

[jobunches.livejournal.com]

I'd like to help as well! :)

This is all so exciting, I'm so happy for you both!

[muimi07.livejournal.com]

I started a community for Seraphine which is moderated so that only I can post and so that I can approve who joins. I crosspost to it from a non-LJ blog (powered by Wordpress). :) A similar solution may work for your new boy.

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

You're #2 to suggest just that - sounds like the way to go!

[poetpaladin.livejournal.com]

I agree with English. He can get Chinese immersion with visiting friends who speak Chinese, but it's best to give him English immersion quickly.