Reply to Bilingual - children refusing to learn the language.

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
Do you have disciplinary problems in general, or are there special needs that need to be considered?

I say this with concern, OP, if you can't make them do what you want now in elementary, you will have significant issues in middle and high school.

We are French and know plenty of parents who send their children to weekend native language schools (French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Hindi). There is a pattern to it. Students in elementary generally are resistant because their school friends get their weekends off, then if parents insist, they start to understand the benefits of learning their native language in middle and high school, as they see their school peers taking language electives and realizing that they're already ahead in that respect :-)

So you absolutely need to stick it out. I advise you to discipline them every time the teacher reports misbehavior in class, since that is a respect issue, and why I asked whether your children had disciplinary problems in general. Please do not respond when they talk to you in anything but your native language. When they want something, they ask for it politely in your language. Another good option I would encourage you to add is to only allow video/movies in your native language (your husband can watch the news and other things after they go to bed, or on his laptop with earbuds). Read to them at bedtime in your native language, and stop to answer all their questions. Make it fun.

Go hardcore and it will pay off later. The key to all parenting (and other relationships!) in your life is to have more willpower and follow-through than anyone else around you... been there, done that.
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Agree with all to this! We went hard core and my high school student already appreciates how strong he is in the second language.  We only allowed screen time if in the other language.  Babysitters always only spoke the language. We required them to respond in the language. It is normal for them to try to push it because it is easier for them in the community language, but it is worth it to be strict. You don't let your kids run in the street, you require them to eat with silverware and flush the toilet. This is just another non-negotiable.  If you can travel to your home country regularly that makes a huge difference.  Go for it. [/quote]

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