Date: Fri 30-May-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Asian-kids-play-group

Full Text:

Kids Share Cultural Heritage and Cookies

BY ANDREA ZIMMERMANN

It's odd to think one-, two- and three-year-olds might form their own

playgroup, but that's what happened - sort of - with eight area children who

get together weekly for cookies and interaction.

All are adopted from Asian countries (the girls from China, and the one boy in

the group from Korea), and it is this common heritage that introduced their

moms to each other and inspired a play group. It is their parents' hope they

will grow up to be lifelong friends.

Formation of the group was spontaneous.

Last year, Nancy Sprung of Newtown was considering adopting a child from

China. She contacted Serena Brumaghim, also of Newtown, who had already been

through the process in adopting Lian. A friendship formed and when they met at

Pizza Palace for lunch one day they ran into Lyn Lyon of Brookfield (then a

stranger) with her daughter, Hannah.

Lyn contacted her former bank associate, M.J. Hanifin of Bethel, who had

adopted her daughter Elizabeth Baranovic from China last summer.

Serena met Lucy Handley and her son Jamie MacDonald of Newtown in the grocery

store, and invited them to the play group. Two other Chinese girls had

participated in the group until their moms returned to work. Maggie

Silverstein of Easton and her daughter May, found out about the group through

a former participant.

Play group began in January. Since that time, the group has met at least once

a week from 1 to 5 pm at the home of a participant.

The parents believe one major benefit to the children is that they will have a

bond with others who share a similar background.

"When they go to school, most of their friends, most of the other kids, won't

be from China and won't be adopted," said Maggie. It is very important to all

the women in the group to have the children grow up familiar with their

heritage. The families participate in cultural events sponsored by their

respective adoption agencies, and seek out other opportunities for their

children to be exposed to Asian traditions and festivities.

Like any other parent, the moms find play group a good time to share general

concerns and parenting tips.

"It's a good resource, but also it's a good release for us and the kids. We

look after each other's children," said Lyn, who enjoys the group so much she

arranges her work schedule around it. "It's a mental health time for me; it's

nice to have relaxation time and have conversation with people who have had

similar experiences."

Right now, none of the children in play group has siblings, but two will soon

have Chinese sisters if all goes according to plan.

Through their children, the mothers have become good friends. They enjoy

taking part in each other's lives and watching the children grow up. They

describe the children with such phrases as "beautiful little miracles."

"The kids change so much from week to week," said Lyn. "Jennie [Sprung] is

just walking, and May is sprouting up before our eyes."

With any group of kids, there are many surprises. But Lucy knows one thing for

sure about the girls in the group - Jamie's going to marry one of them.