One of the joys of having children who speak two languages is watching them learn them both.  Hearing them talk to each other in a mishmash of them. Helping them learn words that they only know in the other language. That they can teach you words that you haven’t learnt yet.

Now that both children are settled into school in Dutch I had assumed they would switch into playing together in Dutch. But they haven’t. At least not completely. Home is still an English environment, with some Dutch thrown in. Food is “lekker”, magic words are “Hocus Pocus (pilatus pas, ik wou dat …… was)”, and things you shouldn’t do “mag niet”, are some examples.

One of my favourite pastimes at the moment is listening to the two of them chattering to each other while they play. Hearing their imagination come to life. Though as they frequently play mummies and daddies it does get a bit confusing for me. I’m often told off for answering when they talk about mummy as they weren’t talking to me!

Fortunately they play nicely together, most of the time! Which gives me the opportunity to step back and let them get on with it while I potter in the kitchen or tidy up. Or one of those other adulting tasks that need to be done.

In more fun news I have joined Instagram, so do have a look at what I’m sharing on there. It’s a trial at the moment to see how it works, so I shall be trying things out and experimenting. Come and experiment with me!

https://www.instagram.com/clarissahgosling/

Unfortunately someone already had clarissagosling, so I had to stick the h in there. And I can’t decide whether to be frustrated or excited that someone has the same name as me! I haven’t quite dared to follow them…