My Beliefs

To my prospective host family,

I plan to live with your family for about a year, so I have outlined a few of my beliefs about what I expect our time together should look like.

We should all have fun.

I think childhood should be full of joy. Sure there are bound to be some bumps in everyone’s lifetime, but it is our responsibility as adults to make sure that children enjoy the curiosity and energy of life.

Education is paramount.

Every moment is an opportunity to learn something new and I think that each one of those moments is critical to use to your child’s best advantage.

We will show respect.

Children deserve my utmost respect, they are reasonable beings, and I disagree with physical punishment. Punishment, as a first resort, only teaches children to avoid punishment. I believe that talking to a child about what went wrong and why it was wrong is a far more effective way of communicating morals and ethics. As such, I do not agree with using corporal punishment under any circumstances or using any other type of punishment (like “time out”) without first providing the child with an explanation they can understand.

My role in your family.

I am here as a cultural representative, I am aware that everything I do makes an impression on you and your children at all times. I will be respectful of your home, your family and your beliefs.

Your role as my family.

You are also representatives for your culture, so I hope that you will be patient with me as I adjust to a new situation and offer me help as I explore a different environment and culture.

Ultimate goals of our year together.

We can all gain from this if we are mutually responsible to one another’s experience. I will treat you as I would my own family if I were living with them. I will offer to help around the house and spend time playing with your kids, also I hope you will offer to show me new places/things and treat me like you would your own niece.