tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post2811988040497351927..comments2023-10-24T12:39:03.746+02:00Comments on Uh Oh Spaghettios: Open letter to the wine salesman.Rebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768568719894187436noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-61954640063035105252011-06-08T19:05:04.445+02:002011-06-08T19:05:04.445+02:00I hear that same comment all the time! Strangers ...I hear that same comment all the time! Strangers must think they're being helpful to point out that my son responds to my French questions and comments with his three-year-old English. Yes, thank you, interfering grocery store clerk, I know he's speaking English!<br /><br />I'm just glad he understands my French and can respond appropriately. (And he does speak French with me too, just not to the extent that he does English.)<br /><br />Often I do wonder how different it would be if I had insisted that he always speak French? It has worked so well for you (and lots of other families I know).Sarah @ Baby Bilingualhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13907207816628137938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-65965989024180173382011-06-07T13:34:53.141+02:002011-06-07T13:34:53.141+02:00Cordelia,so there's still hope for me that I&#...Cordelia,so there's still hope for me that I'll let lose, just a teeny tiy bit? LOLRebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15768568719894187436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-14978295550477150872011-05-31T13:25:18.205+02:002011-05-31T13:25:18.205+02:00Ha I used to be like you but I was slowly driving ...Ha I used to be like you but I was slowly driving myself crazy. (mind you I still have my moments). My youngest isn't talking but I understand the Maman thing. To my horror, my older daughter went from calling me "Maman" to calling me "mommy" - devastating.Cordelia Newlin de Rojashttp://www.multilingualmama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-32703962179594636932011-05-31T09:37:22.023+02:002011-05-31T09:37:22.023+02:00Cordelia, thanks for your comment. If there's ...Cordelia, thanks for your comment. If there's one thing I'm really terrible at, it's letting go :) I know that's what I should do though. Especially since my son is now callign me maman! I think the hardest part of the second child not speaking as well in English is just that....comparing. I need to stop comparing because Max will come along at his own pace. This summer, he will spend a couple weeks with my mother (in France) and we've organized a few trips to England for the summer and October. So, although I know I shouldn't worry about it and I try not to worry about it, when he calls me "maman", I have to worry about it...!Rebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15768568719894187436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-31090503536454999012011-05-31T07:06:24.877+02:002011-05-31T07:06:24.877+02:00I am franco-american and bringing up my kids tri-l...I am franco-american and bringing up my kids tri-lingual though I tend not to worry too much about the spanish as that is my husband's responsibility. My daughter is now 3 and unlike you I dream of her answering me in French but get 99.9% english. It is a factor of the environment we are in (Singapore). What bringing up kids in a multilingual environment has taught me is the art of letting go. Still like you I do get frustrated and wonder what I could be doing more and always second guessing myself.<br />A friend of mine who is bringing up her girl bilingual English/Portuguese had the same situation. Child understood everything but would only answer in English. She said an extended summer break in Brazil at around 2.5-3 years helped kick start her daughter's portuguese. Also met another couple trilingual english, french, chinese. At two years old the little girl used to answer in english to her french father "daddy I don't like your talk". She is now 6 and fluent in all 3. Don't give up but also don't beat yourself up. you are giving your kids a great gift and he will come around eventually.Cordelia Newlin de Rojashttp://www.multilingualmama.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-30030879380655863302011-05-20T09:22:14.063+02:002011-05-20T09:22:14.063+02:00Mil,thank you for bringing me down a notch. Yes, j...Mil,thank you for bringing me down a notch. Yes, just speaking 2 languages, even with the French thrown in, is amazing! I am definitely too worried!Rebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15768568719894187436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35124868099611785.post-86459259458135675612011-05-18T21:23:08.359+02:002011-05-18T21:23:08.359+02:00I guess I'm not as strict as you about accepti...I guess I'm not as strict as you about accepting phrases in French from my daughter. I do prefer her to speak in English with me, but sometimes I'll just answer to her French request (it's not all the time, anyway). I guess I'm ok with it because overall she is speaking a lot of English and I know she understands it. Could it be the famous, girls are more verbal (in general) than boys thing going on here? If at least he understands you, that's a good point. Either try being more stubborn with him or go the other route and back off a bit. It's still a victory to know two languages at 21 months.Milhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02647139896187096733noreply@blogger.com