Raising a Bilingual Baby

Well, let's take a close look at this baby-he's not just a ordinary baby, he's a bilingual baby! You may ask, how are you going to raise a baby like this? Answer: No idea. 

My husband and I are both "Made in China". We were born into the Chinese mandarin language. And we learned English and moved to the U.S later on. So you can say we are pretty fluent in both languages. But remember the order: First Chinese, then English. None of us had the experience of learning both at the same time.

Since the day Jayden was born, my husband and I knew Jayden need to learn both Chinese and English growing up. With that goal set in mind, our journey of raising a bilingual baby starts!

So the rule is we talk to Jayden in Chinese at home and English outside of our home. Easy right? Uh, not really! 

• First, after my husband and I coming to the U.S for well over 8 years, we developed our own language" Chinglish". That means we complete one sentence with both English and Chinese! Try understand that, Jayden!
• Second,  my husband's inner mind always see Jayden as an American baby but not a Chinese baby. So he thinks it's more natural to talk to his son in English! So I often found my husband talking to Jayden like this:"That's right, this is a BALL!"
• Third, Most of Jayden's children's books are in English! I either have to translate them all to Chinese then read it to Jayden or just read it to him in English! And of course I didn't translate it! I am a busy mom!
• Fourth, accent! Accent! Accent! We constantly skyping with my family and my husband's family in Chinese. Sounds pretty good right? NO! My family is from Northern China and my husband's family is from Southern China. It's two completely different accents! I remember when I first met my husband's family, I had no idea what they were all saying around me. So Jayden, good luck understanding those accents!
• Fifth, Chinese is hard to learn! How can I explain to Jayden the same sound with different tones can mean complete different things? Xiexie means thank you or shoes. Baobao can means baby, lift me up or purse!
  

Also, our family and friends are constantly challenging Jayden's learning results:

• My Mom: Does Jayden understand me? I bet you guys didn't teach him Chinese at all! I don't want my grandson couldn't understand his grandma! (Sigh...)
• My friend: Hey baby! I bet you have no idea what I am saying right now! Because it's all in English! I bet your parents only talk to you in Chinese! (Even bigger sigh...)
• My Dad: How come he still can't say "Grandpa" in Chinese? When you were this age, you say sentences no problem!(Bilingual kids tend to talk later dad! Plus, he's a boy!)

With all the false accusations and guesses, I am glad to tell you Jayden's actually learning: 

• English words: Ball, Bird(that means everything that flies in the sky, airplane, moon and etc.) Mama, Baba, baby, Uh-oh, Whoa...
• Chinese words: Dengdeng(light), Xiexie(Thank you or shoes), Huahua(flower), YeYe(Grandpa), Nainai(Milk or grandma), Bibi (Nose)
• I do believe he understand most of our instruction in both languages. Jayden will give us a really sad face if he hear "No" and "Time to go night night".  He will clap his hands when we say "Good job!"

So far I am pretty satisfied of what Jayden's learning. If he couldn't learn both languages, at least I am confident he will speak really good "Chinglish" like his parents:) 

Raising a little bilingual is fun and challenging, what's your experience teaching your kids a second language? I would love to hear!

XOXO,

Mia