Before the visit

The investment of a few hours meeting together before the group arrives will go a long way to help your “split” be successful.  Invite the other family to your home for dinner, meet after church at a restaurant, or just set up a time to get the families together.  Be sure to include your own children in this.  This time of fellowship will make the visit easier, because you will KNOW the other host family.  (Imagine having to work through difficult homesickness or discipline issues with your Belrussian visitor those first few days with someone else who is a complete stranger to you.)  Enjoy getting to know each other, but also accomplish this simple list during your time together.

DATES - Work out the schedule of hosting – what day will the visitor move to the other house?

AGREE – We all know that each family has their own way of handling all sorts of issues.  That is to be expected, and it will help the visitor learn that not all American families are the same.  As much as possible, though, make some things consistent for the visitor at each home.  Things to discuss: gift-giving, allowance, chores, bedtime. 

PLAN –   Find ways to help one another during the visit.  For example, the family hosting for the last half of the visit could invite the visitor over for a playdate (or even a sleepover) during the first few weeks.  This will give the first host a needed break and help the child feel at ease when the time comes to move.   Because the majority of the physician visits happen in the first few weeks, perhaps the second host could take the child to an appointment.
 

During the visit

It is also a good idea for both families to have time together with the visitor at the beginning of the visit.  Perhaps everyone could go to lunch or a playground after the interpreter appointment that happens in the first few days your guest is in Raleigh.  This helps the child understand that both families are friends and that communication will be flowing from one household to the other.  That good communication can be the key to a happy visit for both families and your visitor. 

As the visit ends

You might wish to divide the list of items to send home with the child as gifts. Another benefit to sharing the hosting is how it eases the financial aspect of hosting.   Consider attending the farewell event together. 
 

Blessings

A successful partnership with the other family will bless you in many ways – and you might end up with some life-long friends!  It is truly a joy to have another family to talk to once the visit is over, who shared a similar experience and understands exactly what you miss about your Belarussian child.