Hello from Russian native speaker living in USA!
Jun 2, 2017 13:43:18 GMT 9
Post by Tatsiana D. on Jun 2, 2017 13:43:18 GMT 9
Hello Everyone,
My name is Tatsiana. I am from Belarus (speaking Russian language), I moved to the US when I was 23 years old. It's a long & romantic
story about how me and my husband met and fell in love with each other, but right now we live in New Jersey, USA, and are raising a beautiful daughter, who is 2 years old.
I am just starting my daughter's & mine bilingual journey, feeling overwhelmed already. Working full-time, limited time to spend with my child. I am the only source of Russian language for her. My husband speaks English, we speak English when we are all together or in public, with friends & family. Really worried about providing sufficient exposure.
Right now my daughter is two, and picking up her English with a lightning speed. Our minority language is already lagging so far behind. I recently caved in and started using English with her in private - that was the only way to have her understand what I was saying, have a chance of her following any directions, and, most importantly, begin the much anticipated communication & connection with her. I just couldn't help myself, the joy of seeing my child understanding me & reacting to me with something other than crying was just too precious to pass, for a brief moment I stopped caring what language it was in. When I speak Russian to her she gets upset & either cries/yells with frustration or stops paying any attention to me & what I'm saying altogether. So yes, I am playing catch up already. It happened so fast!
I am ready to get organized & on track with my efforts to help my child become bilingual. I purchased Adam's book, read almost half of it already, and feel very inspired & motivated. I want to at least give it all a solid try.
I don't know where to begin. Do I say things to her in English & then translate them into Russian to help understand what I'm saying? Do I continue to frustrate her with the "one parent-one language" approach attempts in the hope that one day it clicks & she starts understanding me? I would like to build up slowly to the point when "one parent-one language" is even feasible for us, but, again, don't know where to start at the moment.
Are there any resources on this forum, and on the Bilingual Monkeys website, that are geared specifically towards "parents playing catch up"?
If anyone has any advice for me, it will be greatly & sincerely appreciated.
Thank you!
So glad to be here!
My name is Tatsiana. I am from Belarus (speaking Russian language), I moved to the US when I was 23 years old. It's a long & romantic
story about how me and my husband met and fell in love with each other, but right now we live in New Jersey, USA, and are raising a beautiful daughter, who is 2 years old.I am just starting my daughter's & mine bilingual journey, feeling overwhelmed already. Working full-time, limited time to spend with my child. I am the only source of Russian language for her. My husband speaks English, we speak English when we are all together or in public, with friends & family. Really worried about providing sufficient exposure.
Right now my daughter is two, and picking up her English with a lightning speed. Our minority language is already lagging so far behind. I recently caved in and started using English with her in private - that was the only way to have her understand what I was saying, have a chance of her following any directions, and, most importantly, begin the much anticipated communication & connection with her. I just couldn't help myself, the joy of seeing my child understanding me & reacting to me with something other than crying was just too precious to pass, for a brief moment I stopped caring what language it was in. When I speak Russian to her she gets upset & either cries/yells with frustration or stops paying any attention to me & what I'm saying altogether. So yes, I am playing catch up already. It happened so fast!
I am ready to get organized & on track with my efforts to help my child become bilingual. I purchased Adam's book, read almost half of it already, and feel very inspired & motivated. I want to at least give it all a solid try.
I don't know where to begin. Do I say things to her in English & then translate them into Russian to help understand what I'm saying? Do I continue to frustrate her with the "one parent-one language" approach attempts in the hope that one day it clicks & she starts understanding me? I would like to build up slowly to the point when "one parent-one language" is even feasible for us, but, again, don't know where to start at the moment.
Are there any resources on this forum, and on the Bilingual Monkeys website, that are geared specifically towards "parents playing catch up"?
If anyone has any advice for me, it will be greatly & sincerely appreciated.
Thank you!
So glad to be here!
