Comments on: Ask an Expert: Help! I’m getting discouraged!

By: Watch Criminal Minds Free

Watch Criminal Minds Free — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:57:01 +0000

Awesome blog by the way. To increase your views, I would change up your H1 tags though, but thats just an opinion. If you get the chance check out my blog and see how I done my H1 tags.

By: Beth Ortuño

Beth Ortuño — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:59:31 +0000

Dear Yara,
Just think, if you had a total environment for the babies actually about equal in Spanish and English, you’d probably have what we do– a 20 month old guy who really can’t speak besides a very few “baby talk” words that most people don’t even know are “words” at all. Basically, he’s at the stage where his older sister (who was raised in only one language) was at 7 months– not 20 months. Believe me I get my share of comments from well-meaning people thinking he’s got some sort of problem. But I know I’ve done my homework on what are the normal benchmarks and signs for bilingual development, and my baby’s right on track. My point to you is just that you have to get support everywhere you can, think creative and stay positive, and hang in there for the long term!

By: Ana Lilian

Ana Lilian — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:30:45 +0000

I have to say this has to be one of my favorite posts because of the outpour of advice, good will and encouragement you´ve all given Yara through your comments. This is what SpanglishBaby is all about to Roxana and myself–the community and the support.
Why? Because as you´ve all stated, to raise a bilingual child is not easy, but definitely and completely worth it.
Thank you all for making me smile!!

By: Roxana S.

Roxana S. — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:48:10 +0000

Congrats on your baby, Yara! (Why were we calling you Yaz?) As you might know, I also had my second baby 4 months ago and although my 3.5 year old doesn’t speak English to him, we have told her that he only understands Spanish – in case she ever gets any ideas…ha, ha! So, as Maria said, the birth of a new sibling is a great opportunity to reinforce the Spanish at home.

I’m so glad to hear you’ve noticed your son speaking more Spanish now that your parents are visiting. Use that as proof that you’re doing the right thing and, as everyone else here has said, please know you’re not alone.

We’re so glad you found SpanglishBaby!!!

By: Yara

Yara — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:50:55 +0000

Thank you so much Dr. Pearson and everyone else for their encouragement! I was laughing as was re-

reading my (long) question , my grammar was not the best:)I had a beautiful and healthy baby girl a month ago. My parents have been here for a week and I’m
amazed at how much Spanish he’s speaking! Unfortunately they leave next week but now I’m
more determined to seek situations where he’s exposed to Spanish only!
Our nanny is too good to replace her and is not
easy finding someone as responsible and experienced as her. I know, I tried for the longest time before my son was born. Since she’s with us 4 days of the week, I decided to get a Spanish speaking young woman to come on that free day.

Gracias a todos! I’m so glad I found Spanglish Baby:)

By: Maria

Maria — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:43:42 +0000

Yaz,

Don’t give up! I think many native speakers assume that it will be easy to raise bilingual children and underestimate what an influence the majority language has on kids. That said if you really keep it up it is absolutely possible. I know Spanish playgroups can be hard but I have found my kids having peers that they play/speak with in Spanish in a very important part of the process. In addition, unlike what Barbara said, I have actually found that when each new child was born (I have three) it was a time of a boost in Spanish speaking for everyone. I have never stopped our pattern of my only speaking Spanish and so with each new baby it has become easy to say “español con el bebé” and it be a way to encourage all older siblings as well. There have been many, many discouraging moments along the way but my oldest is now 6 and as he has begun reading and writing in both languages as well as speaking both it has made every challenging moment well worth it. As a last thought, would it be possible for you to hire a Spanish speaking nanny? That might be one small change that would really increase his language exposure. Best of luck, and know you are not alone.

saludos,
maria

By: Charles Mister

Charles Mister — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:06:18 +0000

Hi Yaz,
We’re friends with quite a few families that speak Spanish at home and it’s fascinating to see the variety of results you can get from basically using the same process of one or both parents speaking Spanish at home. I think a lot of it comes down to the interest of the individual child. I think being very consistent about speaking Spanish is important and I think that rephrasing things in Spanish when your child answers you in English can also help, but really it’s up to your child to decide when he wants to speak some Spanish. I can say that a friend whose daughter understood her mom but never really spoke Spanish started suddenly to speak more when she was about 4. I guess she was ready!
I’d also just say that our connection to my wife’s family is super important in keeping our kids interested in speaking Spanish. Whether it’s on the phone, Skype, or actual visits, maintaining that connection means they have to speak Spanish or they can’t communicate with their beloved Tia.
It sounds to me like you’re putting a lot of effort, thought, and dedication into raising a bilingual child and that’s a special gift that you are giving to him.
Charles

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:23:53 +0000

Yaz you are not alone. I am actually having the same problem. My 20 months old baby was doing great with Spanish and then my husband who speaks English had 2 weeks off and now my baby speaks more in English. It is unbelievable all the words he had in Spanish now it is in English. It made me sad, but I know we have to keep working on this. And this is more difficult that I thought too. But I see my friends not having as hard time as I do. Good luck with everything and enjoy your little one too!!!

By: Beth Butler

Beth Butler — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:17:14 +0000

Barbara always has such fantastic and relevant advice, Yaz, so I would read her reply again and again as you get that feeling of not giving your son the gift of two languages as easily as you had hoped you would be able to! I can tell you from witnessing our neighbors grandchildren who were raised with an English/Spanish household yet mainly Spanish-speaking extended family that bringing the two languages together with fun, smiles, music, dance really appeals to that younger age! And as I still work with preschoolers, I can tell you, the more fun you make it seem to speak BOTH Spanish and English, the more on board with the whole idea they will be! ¡Buena suerte! / Good luck! .-= Beth Butler´s last blog ..Music Monday - A Bilingual Family Song for Kids by Kids =-.