Parenting from the Overflow

{I usually post the Swede Home Alabama updates on TeriLynneU.com but since I’m doing my 31 Days of Joy: a Journey through Philippians series this month, I thought I’d post them here instead.}

My girls

We’re a month into Swede Home Alabama, otherwise known as being a host family for a sweet 18-year-old Swedish exchange student.   In some ways I can’t believe it’s already been a month but for the most part, it feels like Johanna has always been with us.

Here’s a brief recap of the past few weeks:

1. Getting two girls up and out the door by 7:30 am is a challenge but so far no one has been tardy!  I consider that a great accomplishment.     Neither of them are particularly morning people but, thankfully, neither is too grumpy upon waking.
2. Teenagers do not like to be told, “No.”  We had a situation arise where we did not allow Johanna to do something she had asked.  There were tears and frustration … on both sides.
3. We have a very well-raised young lady living in our home with us!  Though she did not like the answer we gave her, she was not disrespectful or unkind.   And, after talking with both Scott and me, while she did not agree with us, she did not sulk or pout or generally make life miserable.   We certainly credit her parents for the maturity and character she displayed!!
4. Eleven isn’t going to last forever … or so Johanna assures us!  When I feel like I’m at the end of my rope with my girl, Johanna is quick to say that she was moody and emotional and frustrating at that age as well.   I’m thankful for the perspective. 
5. Taking the girls to school and picking them up is a great thing!  Seeing their smiles as they head to the car assures me that we’ve created a safe place for both of them in our home.
6. It’s okay for us to do things without Johanna.  We’ve been out to eat a couple of times and she’s chosen to stay home.  I suppose I really thought she’d do everything with us … but she hasn’t.  And that is just fine.  She needs some time to herself and we need some time with just our girl.
7. She’s made some friends at church and we’re really thankful for that!   Coming from such a different background, especially regarding church, we were concerned that she would not connect with anyone in the youth group.  But she has … and that has made a big difference in how she relates to the whole “church experience.”
8. Keeping the lines of communication open is the key!   About school, about church, about the Bible, about meals, about schedules, about everything … asking questions and just being around when she wants to talk has helped us develop real relationship with Johanna.
9. She doesn’t like Krispy Kremes but she has learned to like sweet tea.   If you don’t live in the south, you might not understand the signficance of those two things.   The first gives us great concern … the latter is such a relief! 
10. We’ve invited her into our home and into our lives … and we choose to accept her, just as she is!  We know it’s not our job to “get her saved” or change her opinion of Christianity.   It is however our responsibility to love her and encourage her in what she’s doing … and to live our lives in the most authentic and honest way we can.

We are having a great time with Johanna … and I’ll be sharing more about how having her in our home has been such a positive experience for our girl.   If you have never considered hosting an exchange student, I highly recommend you pray about it.   We’ve been blessed immeasurably already by our experience.   If you are interested in more information, please let me know in the comments and I’ll connect you with International Student Exchange, the nonprofit that coordinated our host family experience.

Do you have any questions for me or Johanna or even our 11-year-old daughter about being a host family or an exchange student?   Leave us a comment … we’d love to put together a post to answer your questions.

linking up with Oh Amanda’s Top Ten Tuesday

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ISE is graciously sponsoring my attendance at three conferences over the next several months.  I’m working with them to encourage others to consider becoming a host family for an exchange student.   However, I’ve promised them I’d be completely honest in sharing about both the joys and the challenges of doing so. 

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