More musings from the everyday life of a bilingual mother. Pure fiction, but very real.

Monday

How I love having new books to read! The ones that the grandparents sent to us a real treasure. I know repetition is good for learning a language, but Oh! do I enjoy opening a new book for the first time, be it a children’s book or any other. We do have some good ebooks as well, some even interestingly interactive, but – call me old-fashioned if you want – they will never be able to create the same atmosphere as “proper” books can do.

Wednesday

D’s vocabulary has expanded fast – I really need to write down all the new words she’s starting to use! She also delighted her grandparents by responding to their questions over Skype. It might have been just a few simple words, but I could see from my parents’ faces how important it is that they can communicate with her. I have never really thought about this situation – when you are bilingual yourself you all too easily forget what it feels like not to understand somebody. If that somebody is a person very dear to you, it takes the situation to a whole new level.

Friday

Finally made some progress with the reading exercises with S. The hand puppet I bought with D (and me) in mind has also come in handy with the writing. Luckily I bought a puppet which is capable of holding a pencil and I was playing with D – we were … I mean, the puppet was writing a thank you letter to her auntie for the presents she sent, when S came in and also wanted to write something! Well, I never, I had gone about it all wrong – I thought he wasn’t interested, but it turns out that he just needed a reason to start!

Sunday

Met up with the family we got acquainted with at the food-market before the holidays – such a lovely family and the kids played well together. And I got the little one to speak to me – I am so proud, as he has apparently only spoken the language with women when they go back to visit the grandparents and other family. Here, in his home surroundings he has only ever spoken it with his dad, so couldn’t comprehend that also other women than his relatives can speak it. How did I do it? I read a book that his dad said he really liked to the kids and made something up which is not in the book. As kids do, he then eagerly corrected me, in the right language. We were on speaking terms. So funny!

New to the diary? You can read previous entries via these links:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5