hahahah what a party, kids just love making mess on their room… but at least they all had fun even though it would be hard time for mommy cleaning up the mess… hehehe
OMG! I remember those days! Sometimes I am grateful I have total control now on who makes the messes (me!). Other days I pine for those days with kids. Cherish the mess.
I stumbled across your blog a few months ago and promptly lost it. I just found it again and have been reading about your experiences in teaching your kids english and french. I think you are one of the few expats I have read of who doesn’t strictly use one-parent, one-language (if I have read your posts correctly). I find this really interesting as we don’t either. We are both native english speakers living in France now, but my husband spent many years in Switzerland as a child, so he is the better french speaker. So we mainly speak english at home and french when we are out. It seems to be working well as my 4 year old daughter’s french is really good having been in school since September. My son is almost 2 and doesn’t say much so I will be interested to see how his language progresses.
I’ll be popping back to read more about your adventures
Penny, Hi! I am glad you found me again because I have gotten a chance to peak in on your blog. I loved seeing your photos from your vacation! It looked like a great time.
Yes, it is true that I am not too strict about the one-parent, one-language. In the beginning, it was because my husband worked so much and I didn’t want my kids to fall behind in their French.
Then, I quickly saw that somehow it worked learning the two languages at the same time. I repeated in French what a word was right away. I would often even repeat whole simple sentences over in French. I still do this with my son.
For us it has worked wonderfully and I think all families have to do what is right for them.
I know I am technically not supose to teach the kids French because French is not my first language but I don’t see that. Most children in schools are taught by teachers where the language is not their first language and the kids learn just fine. My children will get their accent right from my French husband and other children.
My children will not speak to me in French even if I speak to them in French. If we are out with other French speakers I speak in French to be polite so that the others understand. It is funny because I am speaking in French and each time my children answer me in English. :) One of their friends will even ask me to translate what my daughters just told me in English so she knows the entire conversation.
I am strict about that though. I told them from the beginning that they are American and must speak English with me because that is apart of who they are. They are to speak English with English speakers and French with French speakers. It is logical! :)
I think your kids will do fine as long as you are consistant and explain why it is important to be bilingual (everyone has their own reasons) in a way that they understand.
Kids are like sponges. It is so natural and easy for them.
Hi Pumpkin, yes its so easy for them. Although I do speak french to Lily as well, she often corrects my pronunciation already and as far as I can tell her accent is close to perfect. Wish it was that easy for me!
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hahahah what a party, kids just love making mess on their room… but at least they all had fun even though it would be hard time for mommy cleaning up the mess… hehehe
LOL! I remember those “parties.” The kids still have party, but now it includes plates full of crumbs and wrappers from various food items.
Teenage boys eat A LOT!
Uh, oh….
Looks like a fun…and messy…party!! My party post is up at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/prodoceo/490627
wow very good kids.they are giving their mom a big job to do! hahahaha..this is so funny and a great entry for this week’s theme
! HAPPY HUNTING!
check out mine here;
Crazy Filipinas Party
OMG! I remember those days! Sometimes I am grateful I have total control now on who makes the messes (me!). Other days I pine for those days with kids. Cherish the mess.
Haha – but those IKEA baskets are so handy to clean up the mess! They’ve got a super colorful room! :)
wow! you have a very nice picture and I love the way you put consistency of the picture…indeed you have a great post! keep it up!!!
here’s mine:
Photohunt-1…
Photohunt-2…
Happy Weekend!
Uh-oh! Clean up time!
Hi
I stumbled across your blog a few months ago and promptly lost it. I just found it again and have been reading about your experiences in teaching your kids english and french. I think you are one of the few expats I have read of who doesn’t strictly use one-parent, one-language (if I have read your posts correctly). I find this really interesting as we don’t either. We are both native english speakers living in France now, but my husband spent many years in Switzerland as a child, so he is the better french speaker. So we mainly speak english at home and french when we are out. It seems to be working well as my 4 year old daughter’s french is really good having been in school since September. My son is almost 2 and doesn’t say much so I will be interested to see how his language progresses.
I’ll be popping back to read more about your adventures
Penny :)
Penny, Hi! I am glad you found me again because I have gotten a chance to peak in on your blog. I loved seeing your photos from your vacation! It looked like a great time.
Yes, it is true that I am not too strict about the one-parent, one-language. In the beginning, it was because my husband worked so much and I didn’t want my kids to fall behind in their French.
Then, I quickly saw that somehow it worked learning the two languages at the same time. I repeated in French what a word was right away. I would often even repeat whole simple sentences over in French. I still do this with my son.
For us it has worked wonderfully and I think all families have to do what is right for them.
I know I am technically not supose to teach the kids French because French is not my first language but I don’t see that. Most children in schools are taught by teachers where the language is not their first language and the kids learn just fine. My children will get their accent right from my French husband and other children.
My children will not speak to me in French even if I speak to them in French. If we are out with other French speakers I speak in French to be polite so that the others understand. It is funny because I am speaking in French and each time my children answer me in English. :) One of their friends will even ask me to translate what my daughters just told me in English so she knows the entire conversation.
I am strict about that though. I told them from the beginning that they are American and must speak English with me because that is apart of who they are. They are to speak English with English speakers and French with French speakers. It is logical! :)
I think your kids will do fine as long as you are consistant and explain why it is important to be bilingual (everyone has their own reasons) in a way that they understand.
Kids are like sponges. It is so natural and easy for them.
Hi Pumpkin, yes its so easy for them. Although I do speak french to Lily as well, she often corrects my pronunciation already and as far as I can tell her accent is close to perfect. Wish it was that easy for me!
:)
That looks like a big party! Actually looks like the state my girls’ bedroom used to be in on a good day!
Looks like they had a blast at their party!
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