Yesterday was the first day of my new integration course. I had a wide spectrum of expectations ranging from something I would absolutely love, to something I would totally hate. The course fell somewhere in the middle of those, but probably further toward the good end of things.
I was hoping there would be a full-on daycare facility similar to David's Kinderpark, with tons of awesome, age appropriate toys, games and activities, and lovely garden for warm days. When I got there I followed some mothers with tots into a smallish plain room with a wooden floor. There were a few mats stacked up to the sides, and a few small wooden chairs, and that was it. Once they childcare woman arrived she pulled out a small table and set the chairs around it and then unrolled a rug and dumped a big box of Duplo out on the rug. Not exactly fulfilling my wildest hopes and dreams, but the caregivers seemed very kind and the kids (who have been with this course for many months already) seemed to be generally happy to be there, so it definitely could have been worse.
Their were 8 kids and 2 child minders, so that seems like a good ratio. All of the children were between 1 and 3. The classroom for the mothers was across the hall from the children's room, so I got the pleasure of listening to David wail for the first half hour and then intermittently throughout the rest of the class. That's always pretty tough as a mom, but I'm hoping it's just part of adjusting to a new place and this will improve with time. It seemed like he bonded with one of the caregivers a little bit, so maybe next time will be better.
The class itself was neither too easy nor too hard. I learned a few new things, but I felt like they were things I could have learned in 5-10 minutes, and we spent over an hour on them. The "integration" aspect of things was also included. She spent a long time explaining to us about how tipping works at a restaurant, and what appropriate behavior is when someone invites you to their home. While I don't necessarily feel I need to be taught what percentage of the bill to tip at a restaurant, I do think it's good for me to have so much exposure to someone speaking German at a simple enough level that I can understand most of what they're saying, and as a friend of mine pointed out, it would be pretty miserable if they spend 3.5 hours just going over grammar.
Overall I would say doing this course will be a positive thing for me. Hopefully for David as well. I am praying that he would adjust well and find his time there stimulating and enjoyable.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Friday, January 4, 2013
Potty Training
I think I have completely lost my marbles! After a series of failed life changes when James was about 2 (taking away the binky, switching to a big boy bed, etc.) I (supposedly) learned my lesson and vowed I would not make the mistake of giving the kids too many big life changes at once. I decided months ago that during this christmas break I would either tackle potty training, or weaning (from breastfeeding) with David. I went back and forth, and finally decided potty training was the better (easier) option. While I could wean David without a long break from daycare, potty training really requires a lot of one on one focused time at home.
The Saturday before Christmas, I half heartedly started the potty training process. I didn't really want to deal with it honestly, but I felt like I should at least give it a good effort and see how he would react. My method of potty training is very similar to the "potty training in a day", or "potty training bootcamp" methods. I like to get it over with as quickly as possible. The first day of potty training went way better than I had expected. David had three accidents, and probably 10 or 15 tiny pees in the potty. It was successful enough that I was motivated to keep going the next day. The next day was something like 4 accidents and 3 successes. By the evening of the second day I was getting a little tired of the whole thing, so I put David into a diaper as we were getting ready for bed. About a half hour later, he came up to me pulling on his diaper and saying "uhpa, uhpa" (his word for potty). I assumed he was confused and meant something else, but I took him to the bathroom, and what do you know? He peed! The next morning, he woke, and did the same thing, his diaper was dry, and he peed in the toilet first thing in the morning. From that day on, he's done really well, I don't have to ask him, and he tells me when he needs to go, and with the exception of times when I don't get him there fast enough, and #2, he's been accident free. We're still working on #2, but he's getting more aware every day, and it's typical for that to take longer to really click.
So I know what you're thinking, that sounds great, right?! Why am accusing myself of missing marbles? Well, here's the thing. He will tell ME when he needs to pee, but only me. Not his babysitter, and not the ladies in the nursery. I just can't imagine that the childcare at my integrations course is going to be particularly happy with me bringing in a half potty trained, english speaking, 24 month old in underwear. Furthermore, potty training and starting a new daycare are both big life changes, which totally breaks my "no two big life changes at once" rule. Which means there will probably be massive regression when he starts daycare. Which means, I will probably have to start all over again when the course is over in August. Sigh... I will learn someday, right? And it's better if he's potty trained at home than not at all, right? Well, if nothing else, at least it's given me a sense of purpose for the Christmas break!
The Saturday before Christmas, I half heartedly started the potty training process. I didn't really want to deal with it honestly, but I felt like I should at least give it a good effort and see how he would react. My method of potty training is very similar to the "potty training in a day", or "potty training bootcamp" methods. I like to get it over with as quickly as possible. The first day of potty training went way better than I had expected. David had three accidents, and probably 10 or 15 tiny pees in the potty. It was successful enough that I was motivated to keep going the next day. The next day was something like 4 accidents and 3 successes. By the evening of the second day I was getting a little tired of the whole thing, so I put David into a diaper as we were getting ready for bed. About a half hour later, he came up to me pulling on his diaper and saying "uhpa, uhpa" (his word for potty). I assumed he was confused and meant something else, but I took him to the bathroom, and what do you know? He peed! The next morning, he woke, and did the same thing, his diaper was dry, and he peed in the toilet first thing in the morning. From that day on, he's done really well, I don't have to ask him, and he tells me when he needs to go, and with the exception of times when I don't get him there fast enough, and #2, he's been accident free. We're still working on #2, but he's getting more aware every day, and it's typical for that to take longer to really click.
So I know what you're thinking, that sounds great, right?! Why am accusing myself of missing marbles? Well, here's the thing. He will tell ME when he needs to pee, but only me. Not his babysitter, and not the ladies in the nursery. I just can't imagine that the childcare at my integrations course is going to be particularly happy with me bringing in a half potty trained, english speaking, 24 month old in underwear. Furthermore, potty training and starting a new daycare are both big life changes, which totally breaks my "no two big life changes at once" rule. Which means there will probably be massive regression when he starts daycare. Which means, I will probably have to start all over again when the course is over in August. Sigh... I will learn someday, right? And it's better if he's potty trained at home than not at all, right? Well, if nothing else, at least it's given me a sense of purpose for the Christmas break!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Integration
I few months ago I received a letter from the German government. When I first received it, I skimmed over it, and was able to understand that it said something about an integrations course, registration, and some fast approaching dates. I understood that they were either telling me, if I wanted to take an integrations course I needed to register soon, or that I had to take the course and needed to register soon. I took the letter to a German speaking friend, and she assured me that they were telling me I was required to register for the course, but she also assured me that it must be some sort of misunderstanding, and if I would just tell them how well I was already integrating, and that I was taking a German course already, they would let me off the hook. A few weeks later ( I am so bad about dealing with this sort of thing) I sent an email asking if I could be excused due to the above stated reasons. A few weeks went by and I received no answer. I assumed they had agreed with me and had decided not to pursue it further. It might seem really silly that I would assume that, but back in February when we had applied for our residence permits they had told me that the course was optional for me and not required. The day before we left for our trip to the US, I finally got an email back from the Ladratsamt (district office) Informing me that no, I most definitely was not exempt, and yes, I most definitely did need to register for an integration course. He would send me some information in the mail. This was stressful, but I was heading to US the next day so I decided not to worry about it and wait till we were back to deal with whatever he was going to send me in the mail.
After a blissful 3 weeks in the US during which I spoke no German whatsoever, and hardly even thought about German, or Germany, I came home to a letter and a bunch of integration course fliers from the Landratsamt. We arrived back in Germany on December 11th. The letter I received informed me the next test at my local school was on December 12th, and that I needed to find a course and register for it by December 20th! I was jet lagged and miserable, but I went ahead and took the placement test the next day. The results were simultaneously good and bad. The woman administering the test felt that my German was quite good (yay!) but, unfortunately, that meant the course offered locally would be an inappropriate level. And while my German was much to good to take a course meant for people who spoke no German at all, it's still much, much too bad to test out of the integrations course altogether. With no course available in my town, I was forced to search for a course in the city. Of course, I can't just take any course, it has to be a specific government approved integrations course, and it has to have child care, because I can not get into the city, complete a course and get back in the amount of time that I have David at Kinderpark.
After a ton of internet research, I was able to find an organization that offers these courses for women, and include child care. There next placement tests were on December 20th (talk about cutting it close!) After a long afternoon including 4 tests with this organization, I was finally able to be placed in a course which includes child care. The course is 3 days a week, 4 hours a day. It's about a 45minute train trip from our house, so I will be gone roughly 6 hours a day, 3 days a week. James will have to extend his hours in kindergarten, and David will be in a new daycare.
I would be lying if I said I was totally happy about this. On the one hand I know it will be good for my German, and probably just good for me in general, but I feel like 6 hours a day is a long time for James to be in kindergarten at 3 years old. And honestly it's a little frustrating to me that I don't have any choice in it. I feel like if I want to stay home with my children, and raise them myself, I should have the freedom to do that. I understand the reasoning behind making this type of course mandatory, but it's just a little too intrusive for my taste. That being said, I'm trying my hardest to have a good attitude about the whole thing, and I will do my best to make the most of the opportunity. I can see God's hand in the way everything has worked out with all of this, and so I am (trying to be) trusting him that this will be a wonderful experience for all of us.
The course starts January 8th, so just 6 days from today. It's going to be a BIG change for our little family, I would really appreciate your prayers that everything works out, and it doesn't end up being too overwhelming. I can barely finish my housework now, with 3 morning a week at home by myself with the kids in school, so I really don't know how it's going to go once the class starts up!
After a blissful 3 weeks in the US during which I spoke no German whatsoever, and hardly even thought about German, or Germany, I came home to a letter and a bunch of integration course fliers from the Landratsamt. We arrived back in Germany on December 11th. The letter I received informed me the next test at my local school was on December 12th, and that I needed to find a course and register for it by December 20th! I was jet lagged and miserable, but I went ahead and took the placement test the next day. The results were simultaneously good and bad. The woman administering the test felt that my German was quite good (yay!) but, unfortunately, that meant the course offered locally would be an inappropriate level. And while my German was much to good to take a course meant for people who spoke no German at all, it's still much, much too bad to test out of the integrations course altogether. With no course available in my town, I was forced to search for a course in the city. Of course, I can't just take any course, it has to be a specific government approved integrations course, and it has to have child care, because I can not get into the city, complete a course and get back in the amount of time that I have David at Kinderpark.
After a ton of internet research, I was able to find an organization that offers these courses for women, and include child care. There next placement tests were on December 20th (talk about cutting it close!) After a long afternoon including 4 tests with this organization, I was finally able to be placed in a course which includes child care. The course is 3 days a week, 4 hours a day. It's about a 45minute train trip from our house, so I will be gone roughly 6 hours a day, 3 days a week. James will have to extend his hours in kindergarten, and David will be in a new daycare.
I would be lying if I said I was totally happy about this. On the one hand I know it will be good for my German, and probably just good for me in general, but I feel like 6 hours a day is a long time for James to be in kindergarten at 3 years old. And honestly it's a little frustrating to me that I don't have any choice in it. I feel like if I want to stay home with my children, and raise them myself, I should have the freedom to do that. I understand the reasoning behind making this type of course mandatory, but it's just a little too intrusive for my taste. That being said, I'm trying my hardest to have a good attitude about the whole thing, and I will do my best to make the most of the opportunity. I can see God's hand in the way everything has worked out with all of this, and so I am (trying to be) trusting him that this will be a wonderful experience for all of us.
The course starts January 8th, so just 6 days from today. It's going to be a BIG change for our little family, I would really appreciate your prayers that everything works out, and it doesn't end up being too overwhelming. I can barely finish my housework now, with 3 morning a week at home by myself with the kids in school, so I really don't know how it's going to go once the class starts up!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Merry Christmas!
I am so behind in blogging! Not because nothing has happened in the last month, but because so much has been happening, I haven't felt like I had the time to write it all down! Now that Christmas is pretty much done, I'll hopefully have time over the next few weeks to catch up on everything I've missed!
We had a really nice Christmas here. The weather has been amazing, and we've spent lots of time outside! James was a little disappointed that we didn't have a snow for Christmas, but I really enjoyed being able to take the boys on a walk and to a playground to play this afternoon.
Our church didn't have any Christmas services, so we've pretty much just hung out around the house, but yesterday we went into Munich and walked around the Englischer Garden and visited a beer garden, which was fun, though a little unconventional for Christmas eve. There are great Christmas markets here, but a lot of them aren't open on Christmas eve, which we didn't' realize until we got all the way to the middle of the Englisher Garden where there had been a Christmas market up until yesterday!
Today was a little quieter, and more slightly more homesick than we're used to, but it was still nice. We spread out the present opening over several hours, and the boys seemed to really enjoy every gift as it came. James got a big playmobil pirate ship, which he seemed to really enjoy. And David got new Bob the Builder (Bob-ba) underwear which he would frequently show to us and comment about. They're both at a really sweet age where they enjoy everything about christmas and just seem to soak it all in. It was fun having them both at an age where they "get" opening presents. Dylan and I both had some surprise presents under the tree (yay for Amazon gift wrapping) and that was really fun! In spite of it being a pretty quiet, low key day, I think we all really enjoyed our first Christmas in Germany, and I know it will be one I'll remember!
Since most of you in America haven't finished your Christmas Day yet, I hope you all have a blessed day!
We had a really nice Christmas here. The weather has been amazing, and we've spent lots of time outside! James was a little disappointed that we didn't have a snow for Christmas, but I really enjoyed being able to take the boys on a walk and to a playground to play this afternoon.
Our church didn't have any Christmas services, so we've pretty much just hung out around the house, but yesterday we went into Munich and walked around the Englischer Garden and visited a beer garden, which was fun, though a little unconventional for Christmas eve. There are great Christmas markets here, but a lot of them aren't open on Christmas eve, which we didn't' realize until we got all the way to the middle of the Englisher Garden where there had been a Christmas market up until yesterday!
Today was a little quieter, and more slightly more homesick than we're used to, but it was still nice. We spread out the present opening over several hours, and the boys seemed to really enjoy every gift as it came. James got a big playmobil pirate ship, which he seemed to really enjoy. And David got new Bob the Builder (Bob-ba) underwear which he would frequently show to us and comment about. They're both at a really sweet age where they enjoy everything about christmas and just seem to soak it all in. It was fun having them both at an age where they "get" opening presents. Dylan and I both had some surprise presents under the tree (yay for Amazon gift wrapping) and that was really fun! In spite of it being a pretty quiet, low key day, I think we all really enjoyed our first Christmas in Germany, and I know it will be one I'll remember!
Since most of you in America haven't finished your Christmas Day yet, I hope you all have a blessed day!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Little travelers
We're planning our trip back to the US this week. We can't wait to see everyone! Please say lots of prayers for me that the boys are good on the plane. We'll leave here Saturday afternoon, and arrive in Denver Saturday evening (local time). If anyone has any advice on the long flight or dealing with jet lag, I'd love to hear it!
In preparation for the trip we've been playing "airplane" a lot. Here's a picture of the boys sitting nicely in their seats with their seatbelts on!
In preparation for the trip we've been playing "airplane" a lot. Here's a picture of the boys sitting nicely in their seats with their seatbelts on!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Latener!
Tomorrow is Sankt Martinstag, or St. Martin's Day in english speaking countries ;-) In this part of Germany it's normal for children to celebrate this holiday by going for a walk through the neighborhood at night carrying handmade lanterns and singing songs about lanterns and St. Martin.
A few weeks ago we got a letter from the kindergarten letting us know the meeting place for the St. Martin's day walk, and with lyrics to the special songs the kids would be singing. From the day I received the letter I started asking James about the preparations for the holiday. "Are you making a lantern at school James?" "Have you started learning some songs?" "How about a song about Sankt Martin or Laterne?" Every question was answered with a confident "No" from James, and sometimes he would laugh at me and call me silly, why would they do those things? A few days before the walk was supposed to take place I asked his teacher about it. I was starting to be concerned that making the lantern was our responsibility since James still didn't seem to know anything about it. The teacher assured me that they had made the lanterns and had been practicing the special songs every day. Finally, last Thursday, the day before the St. Martin's day walk, the lanterns were waiting for us to take home. "Wow James," I commented, "What a nice Lantern, did you make that?" James looked at me like I was crazy. "That's my latener." He said. We learned a song about it, "Latener, Laterner." Do you know what else we're learning about?" He asked. "Mateen, he's a guy that rides a horse, and uses a sword to cut his coat in half to share with someone else. We learned a song about that too, San Mateen, San Mateen" Haha. Apparently James wasn't confused because he didn't understand what was going on at school, he was confused because he was learning about all those things in German, and I was asking about them in English!
Last night we did the St. Martin's walk. James very proudly carried his Lantern the whole way, even though he was one of the smallest kids and had a hard time keeping up. I was amazed that they let all these tiny kids carry candles through the town, but the kids did great! When we got back to the school there was a big bonfire, a St. Martin skit, hot drinks, and the kids sang more songs about St. Martin. The whole thing was very cute, and had a very "small town" sort of feel. We really enjoyed it!
The picture in the video is bad, but James singing his Laterne song is too cute to not post!
A few weeks ago we got a letter from the kindergarten letting us know the meeting place for the St. Martin's day walk, and with lyrics to the special songs the kids would be singing. From the day I received the letter I started asking James about the preparations for the holiday. "Are you making a lantern at school James?" "Have you started learning some songs?" "How about a song about Sankt Martin or Laterne?" Every question was answered with a confident "No" from James, and sometimes he would laugh at me and call me silly, why would they do those things? A few days before the walk was supposed to take place I asked his teacher about it. I was starting to be concerned that making the lantern was our responsibility since James still didn't seem to know anything about it. The teacher assured me that they had made the lanterns and had been practicing the special songs every day. Finally, last Thursday, the day before the St. Martin's day walk, the lanterns were waiting for us to take home. "Wow James," I commented, "What a nice Lantern, did you make that?" James looked at me like I was crazy. "That's my latener." He said. We learned a song about it, "Latener, Laterner." Do you know what else we're learning about?" He asked. "Mateen, he's a guy that rides a horse, and uses a sword to cut his coat in half to share with someone else. We learned a song about that too, San Mateen, San Mateen" Haha. Apparently James wasn't confused because he didn't understand what was going on at school, he was confused because he was learning about all those things in German, and I was asking about them in English!
Last night we did the St. Martin's walk. James very proudly carried his Lantern the whole way, even though he was one of the smallest kids and had a hard time keeping up. I was amazed that they let all these tiny kids carry candles through the town, but the kids did great! When we got back to the school there was a big bonfire, a St. Martin skit, hot drinks, and the kids sang more songs about St. Martin. The whole thing was very cute, and had a very "small town" sort of feel. We really enjoyed it!
The picture in the video is bad, but James singing his Laterne song is too cute to not post!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Stupidity and efficiency
My mornings while the boys are at school are a special time that I truly treasure. It's a time when I can go to bible study, meet up with friends and get chores done around the house without being interrupted or waylaid by small children. Wednesday after I dropped the boys off I planned to complete a laundry list of errands and chores. I needed to clean the house, vacuum the rugs, do the laundry, pick up a package and return a borrowed stroller in exchange for our old one that had been at the shop to be fixed. Since the stroller was going to take the longest, I decided to that first.
I grabbed the borrowed stroller, hurried to the train, and rode the four stops to the bus station where I would transfer to get to the toys r us. While I was on the train I decided to get some work done. I got so absorbed in finishing my german homework, that when I looked up we were at my stop! I grabbed up all my papers and ran out of the train. I stood on the platform thinking how nice it was that I didn't have to wait for the elevator when it hit me, I had left the borrowed stroller in the train! My mind raced trying to think if some way to retrieve it, but no, there was no way to get to a further stop than the train I had just exited, and I couldn't call anyone on the train and ask them to leave it on the next platform for me. I wandered over to the"information" board on the platform with maps and whatnot and noticed a phone number for information. I called the number, and to my delight the woman that answered spoke perfect English. I explained the situation and she chuckled, "how did you forget a stroller?!" She asked. " I guess because it didn't have any children in it", I replied. She advised me to speak to the driver of the next train that came along, and he would radio the other driver and figured it out. That had never occurred to me, but it worked great! The driver told me ride along while he radioed the other train, and then two stops later he stuck his head out and told me to ride to the end station with him, and then I would get my stroller back there. I rode along, and two stops before the end he stuck his head out again and told me to get out there and wait for the next train coming the other way, they would have my stroller. I did as instructed and the next driver had my stroller up next to him. He had me sign a paper and returned the stroller to me.
I was honestly amazed how efficiently the whole situation was handled, and that they were willing to delay the trains each time to help me out. I expected it to be a much bigger hassle than it was. Of course, afterwards I felt really ridiculous having spent my whole morning and all my precious time riding the subway, and I didn't even have time to return the stroller, so I had to do it the afternoon with the kiddos in tow. Oh well,live and learn I guess!
I grabbed the borrowed stroller, hurried to the train, and rode the four stops to the bus station where I would transfer to get to the toys r us. While I was on the train I decided to get some work done. I got so absorbed in finishing my german homework, that when I looked up we were at my stop! I grabbed up all my papers and ran out of the train. I stood on the platform thinking how nice it was that I didn't have to wait for the elevator when it hit me, I had left the borrowed stroller in the train! My mind raced trying to think if some way to retrieve it, but no, there was no way to get to a further stop than the train I had just exited, and I couldn't call anyone on the train and ask them to leave it on the next platform for me. I wandered over to the"information" board on the platform with maps and whatnot and noticed a phone number for information. I called the number, and to my delight the woman that answered spoke perfect English. I explained the situation and she chuckled, "how did you forget a stroller?!" She asked. " I guess because it didn't have any children in it", I replied. She advised me to speak to the driver of the next train that came along, and he would radio the other driver and figured it out. That had never occurred to me, but it worked great! The driver told me ride along while he radioed the other train, and then two stops later he stuck his head out and told me to ride to the end station with him, and then I would get my stroller back there. I rode along, and two stops before the end he stuck his head out again and told me to get out there and wait for the next train coming the other way, they would have my stroller. I did as instructed and the next driver had my stroller up next to him. He had me sign a paper and returned the stroller to me.
I was honestly amazed how efficiently the whole situation was handled, and that they were willing to delay the trains each time to help me out. I expected it to be a much bigger hassle than it was. Of course, afterwards I felt really ridiculous having spent my whole morning and all my precious time riding the subway, and I didn't even have time to return the stroller, so I had to do it the afternoon with the kiddos in tow. Oh well,live and learn I guess!
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