Comments on: 5 Years of Bilingual Parenting

By: SpanglishBaby: On the losing end of the dual language immersion lottery

SpanglishBaby: On the losing end of the dual language immersion lottery — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:31:12 +0000

[...] late, I have admitted to feeling that I’m slacking in the bilingual parenting arena because my son gets most of his Spanish input at his father’s house. I was hoping to at least be [...]

By: On the Losing End of the Dual Language Immersion Lottery | SpanglishBaby™

On the Losing End of the Dual Language Immersion Lottery | SpanglishBaby™ — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:51:25 +0000

[...] late, I have admitted to feeling that I’m slacking in the bilingual parenting arena because my son gets most of his Spanish input at his father’s house. I was hoping to at least be [...]

By: Beth Ortuño

Beth Ortuño — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:06:00 +0000

Wow. Where does the time go? That is a big boy in the picture.
My Marco is just one half-step behind your Isaías. I have been trying really really hard for the last four years to speak around 80% Spanish to him myself and very strongly encouraging all the adults who are native speakers (his dad and most all the other adults in his daily life) to speak 100% Spanish with him. Now, suddenly, just within the last three months — none of the other adults have changed anything — but I find myself speaking English to him at least half the time. Like always I start off most every conversation in Spanish and he’s always asked me to switch, but now, I do. Why? Because unlike his previous (English-speaking) daycare, he’s now in preK-4 at a dual-language elementary school where all subjects are in both languages through grade 8. Suddenly, his extremely stubborn resistance to speaking Spanish himself has entirely disappeared and he suddenly understands it is super cool. At the same time, English is the language he shares with me, specially. I didn’t mean for that to be the case, and I’ve learned a number of lullabies in Spanish, but I can’t help that I know dozens more lullabies in my native tongue, and that I want to sing them to him. And I think that’s ok. There are days now, going to real school, that brings out a side of him who just wants Mama (very specifically) sometimes. Marco is very proud of being able to speak Spanish, loves to show off and his Spanish ability is shooting up like a rocket right now. I’m beginning to think it’s all in his attitude. He’s suddenly not resistant at all. It’s as you said, a choice of his, and he chooses Spanish happily whenever and wherever it makes communication easier or more intimate. That, I guess, was the goal, not a certain amount of time Spanish is spoken, but whether he can use it fully. I suppose I will have to be vigilant though to make sure he stays positive and entirely functional as we move up through the years…

By: Xochitl Oseguera

Xochitl Oseguera — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:47:41 +0000

Hats off to you Chelsea! You are a great mami

By: Chelsea Torres

Chelsea Torres — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 21:55:10 +0000

Thanks, Ana. We all have to push ourselves out of certain comfort zones as parents in order to do what’s best for the kids, and my battle just happens to be taking place in a cultural zone.

I know you can relate since Camila is the same age. It becomes more fun and less work; let’s hope that continues!

By: Ana Flores

Ana Flores — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:33:50 +0000

¡Feliz cumpleaños, Isaiah!

I feel 5 years is a true milestone in bilingualism because of everything you already discovered. Now is when they truly choose to speak one language or another and when they can be more conscious about their reasons and/or desires.
I´m always in awe of your commitment to speak Spanish to him even though it´s not your native language. You are an amazing mamá!

By: Chelsea Torres

Chelsea Torres — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:44:26 +0000

¡Muchas gracias! I really appreciate the kind words. SpanglishBaby has been a huge source of reassurance for me that there are many means to an end when it comes to our mutual goal of raising bilingual kids.

By: Sunocean18

Sunocean18 — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:40:39 +0000

Thank you for sharing your story. It’s great dedication on your part to do this, considering you are not a native speaker and I congratulate you for that. I have many friends who are native Spanish speakers and their children do not speak Spanish. I am a native speaker myself, but struggle with it sometimes and my husband reminds me how important it is to continue to speak Spanish. So far, my son is 3 and it’s great so see him speak Spanish, but I agree it has not been easy. I know that it’s only going to get harder, because his vocabulary will increase and therefore I have to increase my knowledge as well. Good luck to you and bravo for remaining so dedicated!