Children's Ombudsman in Russia Shares Personal Family Stories (Interview)
Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova shares her family traditions, as well as her plans for supporting families in Russia
2024 has been declared the Year of the Family in Russia. The Parliament Gazette asked famous Russian politicians to talk about their family traditions and share their warmest and most vivid memories of their family and friends. Our interlocutor today is the Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights — the Children’s Ombudsman — Maria Lvova-Belova.
- Maria Alekseevna, what are some of your family traditions?
- We have an Orthodox family, so our main traditions are connected with the holidays of the Russian Orthodox Church. In our family, Father Frost, and according to the old Russian tradition, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, come to the children in the middle of the night, on the early morning of December 19 (St. Nicholas Day) — he writes notes with good wishes and words of love and gratitude, and he leaves small gifts under their pillows.
The next magic is when Santa Claus brings a live Christmas tree to the door. Children especially look forward to gifts at Christmas. They are literally on duty at the Christmas tree. Together with the older children, we do everything to discreetly place gifts and arrange a surprise.
Another family tradition is drinking tea and watching movies. We select movies, bake pies, and if possible, set up a samovar (an ornate antique tea-kettle). After watching, we all discuss the film together. We are increasingly watching modern Russian children's films and cartoons, the latest ones being “By the Decree of the Magical Fish” and “The Little Humpbacked Horse”. It’s great that in our country, on behalf of the president, they began to pay more attention to the creation of interesting films.
It’s also common in our family to read and assemble construction sets together. We love board games and just heart-to-heart conversations. In addition, I try to regularly spend time alone with each of the children.
- What is the brightest or warmest memory associated with your family?
- The brightest moment of the past year was the birth of our grandson Timofey, born to our eldest adopted daughter. For our family, and for my husband and me as adoptive parents, this is a special joy. We haven’t had little ones for a long time — our youngest daughter is already 6 years old.
My husband and I visited our daughter and grandson in Penza and saw our grandson, and he is such a joy! Unfortunately, we can’t see each other often, but we enjoy the photos and videos.
- What meaning does the concept of “family” have for you personally?
- For me, family is the warmest, most important thing in life. I myself come from a large family, and I’m very close to my parents, brothers, and my sister. Family means support and mutual assistance — they will always help you survive troubles and sorrows. This is the team that makes it possible for you to cope with any challenge.
It’s a great joy when grown-up children come to me and share their experiences, thoughts, and news.
Family increases joy: there is always something to share and someone to be happy for. You constantly have holidays — birthdays, name days, anniversaries, weddings, important events — the birth of children, going to first grade, graduations, and admission to universities. And you celebrate them with your whole family.
- What will the institution of the Commissioner for Children's Rights do in the Year of the Family?
- It is no coincidence that 2024 has been declared the Year of the Family in Russia — this is a vital necessity for the country. It is important that our families boldly give birth to their first child and boldly think about having many children. And they know that they can count on support from the state.
We will participate in improving the federal and regional child protection systems. Now we are forming our list of proposals, which I will present to President Vladimir Putin. I hope for them to receive support.
In our activities, we will pay special attention to the issues of family preservation and restoration of parental rights — we will continue to work to return children from orphanages to families, preferably relatives, and to prevent new children from ending up there when this can be avoided. Our other task is the training and development of personnel with an emphasis on working with parents who have drug and alcohol addictions.
We will continue to open teen centers throughout the country, including new regions. Children can go there to do their homework and learn useful skills. Already, modern platforms for communication and development of children bring together 25 thousand teenagers. A parent community is also formed around them. We will hold “Parental Living Rooms”, where psychologists, doctors, teachers, and sociologists closely communicate with mothers and fathers and help answer questions that arise as children grow up.
The plans include the further opening of day care centers for children with disabilities, where, under the supervision of specialists, children and young adults with health problems, including mental ones, can spend their time usefully, while their parents calmly go about their business. Eleven such centers have already been opened.
Of course, we will continue to work on citizens’ requests. Today our institute has the necessary resources: we know how to help families, and we try to do it quickly.
Source: pnp.ru (Russian)
That was lovely!