Multicultural parents face lots of social pressure regarding their kids language abilities. Here is how my thinking on child language acquisition has evolved over the years.
Browsing Category parenthood
Advocating for the teaching of knowledge to kids
Having been in the Canadian education system for a few years now, I am very impressed with the high-minded ideals of the early education system here. Things like teaching critical thinking, creativitiy, breaking down a…
You don’t tell me when I should speak English — multicultural parenting and language rights
Last month, this story from Wales: The most perfect thing I have ever seen just happened on the replacement train bus service between Newport and Cwmbran: White man sat in front of a mother and…
Are we a “hapa” family?
Family portrait by MAUD. In One Big Hapa Family Jeff Chiba Stearns investigates why there is such a high rate of interracial marriage (95%+) amongst Canadians of Japanese ethnic heritage (otherwise known as Nikkei). Through…
Teaching our children minimalism
Obviously we do not force an austere, monkish existence on our children. Yet, we still think it is important to instill in them certain values: a wariness of consumerism, sustainable thinking, recognizing joy in objects….
Family complete #achievementunlocked
This is where it all started. Above is my completed family of four, standing in front of the college dorm where I met my wife in 1999. As we only have a couple days left…
Paternity Leave Lessons Learned (in Japanese)
Next month an article of mine will be published in an Osaka-based newsletter. The article is based on a blog post from a few years ago: End of paternity leave and a lesson on negative…
Winter is Coming
Remember back a few months ago when I was in the ER with my wife who had stomach pain? Been in the ER for an hour and a half now. Waiting room is blaring Canucks…