Well, there has been a part of me just leaving this blog the way it was, because I did not want to scare anybody of the subject that it is supposed to be about. Maybe it will have to be more about the “andmore” part of our life than the “bilingual life”. Truth is, it has not been that easy here, but what is, right?
The bilinguality has fallen a bit by the wayside to make space for keeping up with school. That worked last year, in Anna’s 1st grade when they were still taken by the hand. Well, 2nd grade rolls around and that is not the case anymore. More is expected and more has to be remembered, and done independently. More has to be expressed and understood. We still read our good night story in German, but German, in general, has not been at the top of our list.
Emily is in Kindergarten and doing just fine. She pretty much grew up here after we moved back to the US when she was 6 months old. Her first language is English, but she is very proud of knowing German. Now, with school starting and homework – yes, she has to do homework every day, even in Kindergarten – and activities and friends after school, she gets way more English than German.
To sum this up – it is easier for some kids than others. If there are any problems with school or the language of that country, the second language has to give somewhat. No, we are not forgetting about it, we are still using it, but it is taking a backseat.
We have a few friends with their kids in German school on Saturday mornings. That time is, right now, taken by Emily’s soccer games. Also, for right now, we did not want to put another learning activity on Anna’s plate. We first have to figure out how to help her. We will have to wait and see.
So, to all, who have not seen anything here, I will try and post more and keep you up to date.
