our family is a little like irish stew. everyone brings a different flavour to the pot but together we are great!
Children.

The more your children internalise the values of your host culture and the more you realise that they will be quite different from you, the more stress you may feel.

Ronald L. Koteskey

There is so much truth in this statement! Our family life is a little like Irish Stew; there are a lot of different elements that make us the Hitchmans. Everyone brings a different flavour to the pot but together we are great!

Irish Stew.

Our son had the honour of being called an ‘Igazi Magyar’ … a true Hungarian by his class. Beth, our daughter, still has a bit of an American accent from our time spent in the U.S. To add to the confusion she now throws in Hungarian words when she is speaking English. Our youngest daughter speaks English using Hungarian grammar.

They still have cravings for food from the UK and the U.S., but when we are away from Hungary, they have cravings for Hungarian food.

I remember one evening when Beth was working on her English homework, she started explaining the homework in Hungarian because she was too tired to think in English! We, however, don’t think we will ever reach the stage when we are too tired to think in English.

Integration.

We have been accused by our children of not providing them with names that appear on the Hungarian Name Day Calendar.  The absence of their names on the calendar means our kids miss out on an additional day to celebrate. They have considered adopting a Hungarian name. If you have any suggestions, please let us know! http://www.filolog.com/crosscultureHolidays_namedays.html

To be honest, we have learned to rejoice in the differences rather than stress over them. The more the children integrate with the culture, the happier they seem to be. It is a good feeling to fit in, and we love our international family! Our larger concern is making sure that we train our children not in the ways of our culture but in the ways of God.

Genesis 18:19

Yes, I’ve settled on him as the one to train his children and future family to observe God’s way of life, live kindly and generously and so that God can complete in Abraham what he promised him.”

Bringing Worlds Together Book

Many couples struggle to get on the same page in marriage. Whether you are newlyweds or have been married for years Bringing Worlds Together will help you blend together. Expect to learn more about your spouse, gain insight and be challenged.

Are you ready to move closer rather than drift apart?

Available in print and ebook formats.

Adjusting Expectations Book

No-one enters marriage expectation free. Adjusting Expectations helps identify how expectations were formed and whether or not they were realistic. Most expectations need some adjustment; they are often too high but can also be set too low. The good news is expectations can be reset!

Find out what you should expect and what God expects from you.

Available in print and ebook formats.

Improving Communication Book

Most couples would willingly admit that their communication could do with some improvement; although many people also point the finger of blame squarely at their spouse for communication failures. Whether you believe it’s your fault, their fault or that you’re both to blame, this book is for you! There is always room for improvement.

Available in print and ebook formats.

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