One of my favorite books "The Pursuit of Happiness" claims that family is either paradise or hell - depending on how satisfying it turned out for you. For me it turned our brilliantly - even though from the second try. I am a happy woman married to Mister Right with 2 children - almost 6 years old Lisa and 6 months old Mark.
My husband Ian is British and moved to Russia a few years ago only for the reason to be with me. He teaches English to local advanced students, builds our dacha (summer house), does more housework than me and brings up the children and has a general reputation of a unique treasure among my friends and relatives. Since we are together I almost believed that I am an attractive woman, my character is not so bad and I am truly loved.
When I look at my daughter Lisa I keep asking myself what she is going to become. She is a sensible, confident and rather bossy girl who tries her best to command the world around her. She will tell you how to act and what to say - and be sure not to mixup the words of your role! She loves all kind of shows, theaters etc Is she a future theater director? Or a politician (God save me from that!)? Top manager? I am not sure.
Mark is now at an age when kids are irresistibly cute. When he smiles at me I feel happy. When he howls demanding attention and stops me from doing something useful I feel down. But thanks to my husband's great help, bringing Mark up is an interesting and pleasant activity.
I think it will be not exaggeration to say that our 3rd child is a house which we are constructing in the picturesque countryside. Ian keeps saying that he prefers to live in the country, and I am simply in love with the place. Additionally, due to the 3 months long national summer holiday for kids all Russian parents are desperate to have some place for their endless summer vacation, so you will understand why this house matters so much to us. After investing all possible money and loads of time and effort into this project it has naturally become a very special for us. We haven't finished all of it yet but we have already spent our first Christmas holiday there. I hope it will turn into our family tradition. Maybe you will join us one day?
In St.Petersburg the four of us live in our 2 bedroom apartment. But in Russian understanding family is a wider concept than just your spouse and kids.
I am very close to my mum - her name is Maya. She is now a pensioner - after 30 years of teaching English at the University. Trips abroad and family are her main interests. She is always ready to help with kids when I need her, for couple of hours in the evening or for 3 summer months (!) when I work intensively. She is the type of charming woman with whom you quickly feel at ease as if you've known her for ages.
My eldest brother - a successful businessman - has 2 boys - 14 and 17 years old - who are also very special to me. My meetings with them turned into one of my hobbies more about it here
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