How to raise bilingual kids?

Question

I am black and my husband is mexican from Mexico, Spanish is his first language. I want our kids to be bilingual but he doesn’t seem to be interested in teaching them, he says it’s too much work. He rarely speaks Spanish anymore (he’s not close to his family, he only speaks it at work when needed) so I started to learn Spanish to teach them when the time comes (I’m still TTC). Is this even possible with me not being fluent.. how long does it take to become fluent? I would say I’m in between beginner and intermediate atm, been studying for a little over a year. 
Or should I just drop the whole bilingual thing? Chances are pretty slim I guess, I just want them to have an upper hand in life. 
Anybody else have this issue? How did you handle it?

Answer

I'm not gonna lie it's annoying as fuck To see people from my culture not want to continue our language.  Not teaching your children Spanish Is a disservice to them and will likely cause them a disconnect from that part of themselves When they are older. 
 I wouldn't drop it. I would learn what you can and honestly I would push it with your husband. Is important. Also Spanish cartoons.  You can find many On YouTube and educational videos in Spanish and many nursery rhymes as well pretty much anything

Answer

I, too am black and my fiance is hispanic (pr). Hiij a first language is spanish, also. I've been playing nursery rhymes in espanol for our 8 month old since he was a month old. I also immerse him by playing cartoons in spanish and he has books that are spanish. I have invested in a spanish app and it has helped a bit. My spanish is very basic but I want my kids to know both. We are expecting our second in May, and will do the same. The dad also speaks to our son is spanish a lot. Best of luck!

Answer

It is definitely possible. I’d continue as you’re doing but also encourage children’s shows/movies also in Spanish. I believe there are also children’s apps for Spanish that teach in the form of videos and games. I’d definitely encourage you to continue as it is so beneficial long term + learning as a child really helps children develop communication skills. It’s also easier to learn at a young age rather than re-learn later. 
My family is all bilingual except my siblings and I because my mother only ever used English and moved far from family. By the age of 16 I’d wished I’d communicated with them more because I felt so different and silly for not knowing my cultures language. I’m 22 now and still trying to relearn. All of this could have been avoided had she just continued to speak in both languages.

Answer

It IS a lot of work but so worth it. My dad is Spanish and my mum is German and I speak both languages equally. When I was born they decided that each would speak their language although both could speak the other’s. My dad only talked to me in Spanish and my mum only in German. When I was older she started teaching me to write in German since we live in Spain and I was learning that in school. 100% worth it!

Answer

How can I do this as a single mom? Just repeat each word in English and Spanish? She two so I’m a lil late.

Answer

Do you plan to send you LO to daycare or preschool? If so, is there a Spanish immersion program? I have a 2.5 year old. My husband is Colombian and has been speaking to our daughter in Spanish since birth. I speak to her in English (one parent, one language model). She understands both languages but was speaking almost entirely in English. We enrolled her in Spanish immersion preschool two months ago and we saw an immediate change. She now loves to speak and sing songs in Spanish.

How to raise bilingual kids?

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