My new Vietnamese adventure...

[HotPepperQueen]

Ever since the infamous robbery last week, I have decided that I needed something to do during the day while Josh is at work. I usually work afternoons/nights from 3pm to 11pm. And now that the garden and canning is coming to an end and the chickens are settling in nicely, I have a lot of free time during the day. Well a friend of mine told me that her Vietnamese coworker was looking for a part time nanny for her 2 1/2 year old daughter. She's paying me $5 a hour which isn't bad because I only watch her from 9am to 2pm and they live 7 miles from me. Well my first day there was last week and I was in for a huge culture shock. They have stayed very true to their culture. For lunch we had squid and rice Jenni (the mom) wakes up every morning at 4am and cooks all three meals for the day. All her other children and husband have to do is reheat it. Their home is decorated with things from Vietnam and their daughter only speaks Vietnamese. It's a challenge trying to take care of a 2 1/2 year old who doesn't speak a lick of English but I am learning a lot and it's fun being in a "different world" for part of the day...

 

[catjac1975]

She will pick up English very quickly which she will need in school. You will have a blast once you get used to it. Common tales would call her terrible twos. I LOVE TWO YEAR OLDS!!!! They are so much more aware than you would expect.

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

Sounds exciting!

 

[journey11]

That does sound very interesting. You will probably have a major role in teaching her English. Cool! Squid... Maybe that's the key to raising NOT-picky eaters? Green beans would seem like candy!

 

[digitS']

Yep, be ready for green vegetables for breakfast!

The language situation often works the opposite way. She may decide to learn English to the exclusion of her parents' language. Then, she will feign misunderstanding. You know how kids are - they want to do, what they want to do.

"I didn't know you said I couldn't go across that street!" "I didn't know you meant come home that early!" They may soon pretend that Mom & Dad haven't a clue how to function in the real world .

So, HPQ, you could have Mom & 2 year-old help you learn some important words in their language. Just to reinforce the idea that the parents are really, quite savvy people and worth listening to .

Have fun !!

Steve

 

[vfem]

I have Vietnamese friends and Filipino friends as well. Big culture shock for sure... but they sure are nice people. I've tried to learn the languages (as well as Japanese) but I know a total of like 5 words, and I'm not even sure I am saying them correctly. I sure love eating with them though. YUM!

 

[journey11]

I had a Korean friend who used to make a really yummy dish with rice noodles, pork, carrots and I'm not sure what else was in it. I didn't do much cooking back then, but now I wish I'd had the sense to ask her for the recipe!

Maybe you'll come to love squid?

 

[HotPepperQueen]

The squid actually wasn't all that bad. It was just stinky. Yesterday we had seasoned smoked fish with rice. It tasted fine, but the smell was so overwhelming I couldn't handle it. So little Cilla ate outside and I ordered a pizza while she was napping...

Her English has actually improved in just a weeks time. She can say basic words like 'yes' and 'no' and some phrases like 'how about this one', 'you're so silly', and 'can we play'. She still calls me Mom because she can't pronounce Anna without getting tongue tied. It's okay, she will learn. Her mom bought her an iPad last weekend so we tend to play lots of puzzle games, matching games, and english spelling games. I think that is why she has improved so much. She's very smart for her age and knows how to work the iPad better than me! Which doesn't say a whole lot I suppose....

 

[catjac1975]

Calamari-sounds tastier.

The squid actually wasn't all that bad. It was just stinky. Yesterday we had seasoned smoked fish with rice. It tasted fine, but the smell was so overwhelming I couldn't handle it. So little Cilla ate outside and I ordered a pizza while she was napping...

Her English has actually improved in just a weeks time. She can say basic words like 'yes' and 'no' and some phrases like 'how about this one', 'you're so silly', and 'can we play'. She still calls me Mom because she can't pronounce Anna without getting tongue tied. It's okay, she will learn. Her mom bought her an iPad last weekend so we tend to play lots of puzzle games, matching games, and english spelling games. I think that is why she has improved so much. She's very smart for her age and knows how to work the iPad better than me! Which doesn't say a whole lot I suppose....

 

[journey11]

My autistic younger sister got an iPad this year to use for school. They are amazing educational tools, especially for young children. The tactile approach really works for them.

That's cute she calls you Mom.