I wrote my son a letter.
In French.
He asked me to write in French so that he could understand it. Now the kid's eight years old, and can speak English. But like many smart kids, he's pretty lazy, and he says he can't read English. I suspect he can, but that it's an effort for him.
The other day we spoke on the phone, and I said I was going to write him a letter. He said Mom, can you please write in French?" I said I would. So I did. I gave in.
I think when the kids are here this summer, T. and I will practice reading English.
Maybe he just is looking for something he can do with you, and he doesn't know what it is yet.
Posted by: Monty | June 21, 2006 at 19:01
I have a feeling he will be sorry he asked for the letter in French. Does he know you will be making him do homework on his summer vacation?
Posted by: Susan | June 21, 2006 at 19:25
Um...I feel like a total slug now, for not knowing another language and being 21 years older than your son. Note to self: get culture...
Posted by: sandra | June 21, 2006 at 19:56
My parents grew up in bilingual homes.... I didn't, they spoke only English with me. I remember when I started school my grandma refused to speak english to me. By the time college hit told me that I needed to write my letters in Norwegian. Drove me nuts, she could speak English at Church, my cousins could write in English but me??? No. Norwegian. For her it was our secret language and could say anything we wanted to. Maybe he wants something special that you guys do just because you can?
Posted by: cj | June 21, 2006 at 20:10
Awww, I really hope we get to spend time with you guys this summer!
Posted by: Denise | June 21, 2006 at 20:24
He is around French a lot more, so it does take effort to read in English. Kids are all about the least amount of effort!
Posted by: Margaret | June 21, 2006 at 20:58
Personally, I think it's pretty cool that you've got that whole bilingual thing going on with your kids. That will serve them well.
Posted by: Chris | June 21, 2006 at 21:03
My eight year old doesn't want to read in english either. And if I let her, she would only watch dvd's in french, but I always put them in english. She can understand just fine, but reading takes more work. I am going to use our time in the USA to work on this, too.
Posted by: meredith | June 22, 2006 at 03:23
You know how you get him to read English? When he comes to visit, teach him and yourself Japanese. He'll be begging to read the backs of the cereal boxes in no-time.
Posted by: Thomas | June 22, 2006 at 09:25
So, when they are in the US, will they speak English primarily? Is Allan learning French?
Posted by: LittleMike | June 22, 2006 at 09:58
hey - where do i find your flickr photos...still new to all this. HELP!
Posted by: lily | June 22, 2006 at 10:31
@ LittleMike: Yes, they will speak English here, except to each other. I have worked hard to make my kids as bilingual/bicultural as possible, and that means they speak English with me all the time, as well as when they are in the States. They are French and American, and they need to know how to cope in both countries, not just France.
Posted by: Alison | June 22, 2006 at 10:48
Maybe he is a little unsettled at the moment, and wants to attract you back to his own universe, to make sure you still belong there as well. All he really wants is receive a letter from you don't you think? Whatever the language. Maybe you can play at writing half the letter in English and half in French and he can answer the same way.
Posted by: Gracianne | June 22, 2006 at 10:58
Maybe he is tricking you into doing it because in class they are writing letters, and you unknowingly are doing his homework for him?
Posted by: LittleMike | June 22, 2006 at 12:55
what do you speak in around him? french or english?
Posted by: cmhl | June 23, 2006 at 11:04