6 Words You Should Know in Another Language

September 21, 2013 by Michele Cherie in French Language Learning, Teaching French

Hello. Goodbye. Please. Thanks. Yes. No.

These six simple words are often the first words in foreign language textbooks, and among the first you'll want to know when traveling abroad. In our native language, they're the ones we remind our young children to say ("Yes, please!") because they show so much about the speaker's intent and heart towards others.

Acknowledging others. Showing courtesy and respect. Communicating needs and desires clearly. Sharing ideas and perspectives. This is the purpose of language.

Someone recently asked how I got my daughter to ask me to keep speaking French (rather than English). I think it's because our relationship has always been conducted in French and she identifies me with that language. Plus, my husband's high school students and athletes tell her it's "so cool" that she speaks French, so she gets positive reinforcement from them on a regular basis.

But context also is part of the story, since I only switch to English when I am exhausted or angry--a minute or two when parental criticism or lazy commands come rushing out of my mouth. Apparently, the constraint of a non-native language is a curb that I should appreciate more. If I don't speak with kindness and forethought, my daughter doesn't want to hear it said.

Those six simple words are a reminder of what we all want to hear as we learn to communicate with others.

Storing + Displaying Children's Books

September 19, 2013 by Michele Cherie in Home Management

I completely agree with Anna Quindlen when she shares her wish that her children grow into adults who collect books. My family lives in a house that's small by American standards, so it's been easy to fill it with quality books. With the library titles, our French and English children's books, and my husband's and my book collection, every room holds its share of literature. Here are some of the ways that we organize all these books so that they stay accessible and visually appealing:

5 Books that Changed my Parenting: Book 1 (Book Giveaway!)

September 18, 2013 by Michele Cherie in Parenting Books, Reflections on Parenting

In my opinion, there are far too many parenting books: Amazon lists over 43,000 available. I've read a scant two or three dozen of them; about five of those have truly impacted the way that I parent my children. Over the next few weeks I'll profile each of those five books. Read on for more details about today's book and the giveaway.

French Books for Children--A Library by Mail!

September 17, 2013 by Michele Cherie in French Language Learning, French Resources

Remember how Netflix revolutionized the movie rental process? With a similar business model, Les Petits Livres has made French childrens' book rental an affordable option for Americans. French for "the little books," Les Petits Livres launched five years ago with the purpose of offering French childrens' book rental by mail. For a monthly fee, subscribers receive several books per month, then return them via prepaid packaging. There are no due dates and no late fees. Subscribers can tailor book preferences to their child's gender, age range, and interests, and can even create an online wish list.

The Grand Experiment: Speaking a Non-Native Language with Children

September 16, 2013 by Michele Cherie in French Language Learning, Reflections on Parenting, Teaching French

As an American who was raised monolingual, speaking French to my children requires an ongoing mental effort. Admittedly, I taught French to middle and high school students for several years, but when my first child was born, I still had doubts about my ability to speak French consistently. I am a fluent French speaker (you can find more about how I learned French here), but since it is not my native language, there are plenty of gaps in my knowledge.

Responding to the Messages of September 11th

September 12, 2013 by Michele Cherie in International Exchange, Teaching French

Twelve years have passed since the attacks of September 11th, 2001. At the time, my now-husband and I were students working towards our Master's in Teaching degree. When we began teaching the following year, September 11th was a day of mourning marked by a moment of classroom silence, then discussion. Today's high school students no longer remember September 11th firsthand--they were too young. (It's eye-opening to see how quickly collective memory begins to disappear.) But the questions of that autumn day can still be taught: Why our nation was targeted. Why America is not loved by everyone outside her borders. And equally important, how people responded--and how we ought to respond to those who wound and scar us.

A Shelf to Keep your Home Decluttered

September 05, 2013 by Michele Cherie in Home Management

Our laundry room holds a simple secret that keeps our home clutter-free: a shelf with several baskets. Here's how each basket maintains order:

* Return basket: Corrals merchandise that needs to be returned to stores and items to return to friends (like borrowed books and food containers). If you cover the basket's label with clear packing tape, you can use a dry erase marker to remind yourself of the stores you need to revisit.

5 Refreshing Tips for Introverted Moms

September 04, 2013 by Michele Cherie in Contentment, Home Management, Reflections on Parenting

Until I read Quiet, I thought introversion was a negative trait. After all, I'm an introvert who has learned that extroverted cheerfulness is one of the best ways to make new friends. I admire people with extroverted personalities (like my husband) because they can quickly express thoughts that take me longer to formulate into words. But Quiet changed my perspective. Author Susan Cain's commentary helped me realize that being introverted is a gift even though it is not often recognized as such by the culture around us.