Posted in German with the Kinder
I don't have to teach today, so I went and met my German tutor for the first time in months. I was rusty, but it felt good. When I got home, I continued cleaning up our toy room. Ryan came over and noticed the finger puppets and we started playing with them. I was having all of mine speak German, and Ryan seemed fine with that. He even responded appropriately in English to several things. But I guess it was the most sustained speaking in German I had done with him in a while, and all of a sudden he turned to me and said, "Mom, why you talk like that? Can't you just talk like me and Mary and Gabrielle?"
I could cry just typing that.
I feel like I spent the last two months trying to adjust to teaching and getting everything done, and I missed my window of opportunity, and now he is too old and doesn't want to hear German. Wow, if I am this upset about him saying that, it must be even worse for parents when it's their native language that the children reject!
Oct. 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment
I'm sorry that upset you. All may not be lost, though. I'm still teaching myself French and sometimes my kids object when I speak to them in French but other times, they enjoy answering me back (just one or two words, you know). Don't give up or be discouraged. It could have just been his mood at the time. But I know how much it hurts when my kids say something carelessly. They often don't realize how much it hurts. Little twerps. (Just kidding!)
Hope your week goes well!
Kate
Oct. 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Oh, that does sound painful. I can't remember off the top of my head how old Ryan is, but would he be able to understand if you answered his first question--why you want him to know German--if you presented him with the facts and figures and rationale? Is he at the age where he doesn't want to be different from other kids, and that's what he's reacting to?
We often have to convince our children's teachers, doctors, in-laws, etc, of the benefits of raising the kids with more than one language--but I think there are also times when we have to talk the kids into it too!
Good luck. Do your best not to let his reaction discourage you from continuing to share your German with him!
--Sarah (babybilingual.blogspot.com)
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