[Dobby]

Our son's birthday is coming up, and we wanted to incorporate parts of his heritage in the family party; and then add to it for his "Gotcha" days in the following years. I was curious what other families do to recognize or honor the Russian heritage & culture?

Thanks.

[Sally26]

We are trying to buy 21 one gifts from Russia to give to our daughter on her Gotcha Day. My husband is also learning Russian and we plan on teaching her both English and Russian. We have friends adopting from Russian and we plan on getting together with them so our children have friends of like heritage. My dh is a good cook and we plan on making Russian dishes part of our diet. We plan to take her back to Russia when she is older, also.
Sally

[EJsDad]

While our son is/will be aware of his heritage, we feel no need to go out of our way to celebrate the Russian heritage, primarily because we are an American family and we celebrate a multitude of cultural events. My wife and I have ancestors from several countries throughout Europe (including Russia), yet, we don't go out of our way to celebrate those cultures either.

Our son will always know where he comes from and we will teach him to be proud of his heritage; however, we don't feel the need to conduct activities that we wouldn't have "just because" he happens to have been born in Russia.

We already live in a cultural melting pot, in the Greater Los Angeles area, so exposure to diversity and culture will be an important factor in his upbringing.

Just my opinion.

[Vicki H]

We bought our son some souvenirs from Russia including a small Russian flag and a small flag from Stavropol. We will tell him where he is from his entire life, but we won't be celebrating any Russian holidays or anything like that. He has his souvenirs and his pictures and we will always tell him about the country he is from. If he chooses when he is older to pursue more information about Russia we will support him.


Vicki

[Dobby]

Wow, maybe I was misunderstood. We, too, plan on always telling him of his heritage and celebrating other cultures as well (we just went to a Scottish Highland festival last week!). As an adoptee myself, I know the importance of talking about his background as well as cementing the fact we are a family, an American family.

I was just curious if others have special recipes they have cooked, or anything like that. Yikes!

[dlhall]

We adopted our daughter almost 2 years ago, and we try to and we plan to continue to celebrate her culture. I think celebrating her culture goes along with celebrating her as the unique person she is. She is completely aware that she is from Russia and wants to know all about Russia. I have checked out numerous books from the library with Russian recipes. My favorite so far is an apple cake--very easy to make. As we did on her first gotcha day, we will give her a Russian themed gift. I've been looking at some Russian dolls on a few websites I've found for her upcoming gotcha day. A good website to look at is kidsculturecenter.com. This website is from another adoptive mother who thought it was important to celebrate the whole child--including where the child was born. Hope this helps.

Liz

[Vicki H]

Dobby,
Sorry I didn't mean to seem harsh with my response. I think it's wonderful that you want to celebrate your child's heritage.
I think everyone has different opinions on this matter and no one is wrong, it's just what they feel is best for their child. I will not let Alex forget his heritage, he will always know where he comes from. I will probably regret saying this as I have been told I was wrong for saying this before, I really didn't care for Russia. I don't mean it in a disrespectful manner I am just not much of a traveler and only went there to get my son. I am of Italian decent and I probably would not like it there either, as I just prefer to stay within the USA. I will never let Alex forget. I will keep it positive for my son.
I was actually going to celebrate his Gotcha day with a cake with an American flag on it to symbolize his American citizenship. I am sure some people will think I am wrong for that, but that's was just a thought.
I do think it's wonderful that you want to incorporate your childs heritage into a special day.


Vicki

[Dobby]

First, thank you, dlhall, for the website suggestion. Will check that out.

Vicki H, I don't think you're "wrong" for not enjoying Russia. My goodness, it's such a different country for people used to, and wanting, comforts of home! Your idea of celebrating citizenship is a good one, I think. An additional way to acknowledge how wonderful it was to have your son join your family!

[AdrienneEB]

Hey - just curious - why 21 gifts?

[Vicki H]

Thanks Dobby. I was kind of "yelled at" on another forum for saying I didn't like Russia, it wasn't this forum. I was just afraid it was going to upset someone again. Although the person I upset didn't even adopt from Russia. It's nice to know that there are people who understand, that is why I only post here.

Thanks again,
Vicki h

[EJsDad]

Vicki - We also had an American flag on our son's "Gotcha Day" cake. After all, he *is* an American.

We did attend the local Winterfest celebrations that were put on by our local FRUA branch and it was a lot of fun to meet with other Russian and Ukrainian adopted kids and their families, but we don't feel like we want to foster a segregationist feeling with our son by going out of our way to get him Russian-adopted friends and such.

Exposure to different cultures is wonderful and we plan on doing that. Our next trip is to the "Danish Days" festival in Solvang, CA.

[Vicki H]

I agree my husband and myself always go to the Italian festival and the Pennsylvania German festival and plan to take our son as well.
I feel it's important to expose children to all different cultures.
Many of my friends are hispanic and we visit them often.
I agree I do not want my son to feel different by keeping him around mainly Russian children and only exposing him to the Russian culture. After all America is one big melting pot and there is so much to learn about.

Vicki

[marhaban]

My great grandparents were Russian immigrants and we still have a few russian food traditions that have been passed down.

Every christmas, my mom makes Povitica. It is a bread with a nut filling (she always uses pecans). She sends some to all our relatives and we fight over the rest. You can buy it online at various places or if you are really ambitious you can try to make it yourself. Be forwarned it takes a lot of effort, but is well worth it.

There are lots of recipes on the internet just google for povitica.

We also loved to eat cabbage rolls, potato pancakes, and soup. (Russians make awesome vegetable soup)

I think it is great that you want to expose your kids to other cultures and their history. Good Luck!