LOVED this!! ❤️ Re dust on the car, I had some Dutch kids who came up to me & asked if I would like them to wash the "Sahara dust" off my car (I do not live near this desert, but I enjoyed the expression that they used:)
Kids are amazing sponges & so wonderful that you have given this exposure to your children. I, btw, am surrounded by friends who grew up & are fluent in 4 + different languages & alas, I am a dunderhead American who fumbles with the English language.
I LOVE your observations of life in another country. First article that I have read of yours ~ so I will look forward to reading more❣️
I love this story and it reminds me of my childhood in many ways. English was learned, forgotten, relearned so many times. I spoke German, Dutch, and French but German is the lone survivor as I had family with which to practice.
The ability to read and write disappears quickly for adult learners, too. Once we learn these tricky languages and communication skills, it’s use or lose.
Oh I love your descriptions of your children. Children are like that, sponges that soak up, and I will add with joy, new experiences that come there way. Jesus had it right when He said, "Let the little children come to me and don't forbit them." A poor paraphrase, but you get the idea. Children also have a ministry. Thank you for sharing your stories, they inspire! I agree with Sharon below, your children ARE a testament to their parents!
Your kids were lucky! So lucky! To have had the opportunity to live in an entirely different part of the world under the protection of their parents AND to pick up second and third languages - wow! I suppose my husband and I could have accepted teaching positions in some other part of the world but we were not so bold. We couldn't even give our kids the gift of a second language. At least we instilled in them curiosity and appreciation for other languages and cultures. 🤷🏻♀️
Be grateful that your kids don’t crave Russian candy!
We received criticism, some pretty harsh, about moving overseas with our ‘tweens and didn’t get much encouragement. In hindsight, it was the best thing we could do for them. Not everyone is faced with the same challenges and opportunities, but parents who instill in their children curiosity and appreciation for other languages and cultures are giving their children some of the greatest gifts in life.
And there’s something to be said about not needing to use Google Translate to find out what is written on the back window of your car.
Love this. And how are they doing now? Are they still living near or with you in the wilds of Idaho? I'm not disparaging that. Every little town and hamlet in America is a different culture ready for exploration. I hope my grands will remain as curious.
Our daughter and son in law live nearby and are thriving. Our son and daughter in law moved back to Alberta last month, where they both attended university and after they graduated, lived and workers for ten years.
As their dad, I have absolutely zero standing to discourage them from moving to Third World countries if they choose to, even the vast frozen ones with Starbucks (Tim Hortons is better!), Home Depot, and Walmart!
A wonderful account of children's ability to learn.
Ma and Pa Switter have likely visited the Great White North ( elbow bent at 90 degrees up, Tim Horton's coffee in hand, briskly walking. None of those Parisian cafe, slow coffee consumption rituals).
I encourage all to visit Canada - your $US go very far and we have a retail sales tax break on dining ( and other items ) until February15th/2025. The price on the menu is the price you pay. No taxes. Just a pre- election gimmick, but oddly refreshing ( not to see additional line items, Provincial tax, federal tax ).
When I was considering emigrating to Calgary, my friends their tried to help me land a job. One day, the woman interviewing me (us) looked at my friend and said, "You know, I really should be hiring Canadians. That was in the 70s when American men were swarming the place to avoid the draft. So I went back home.
It’s a little harder to move there these days, although when my kids moved back to Alberta recently, it took three days to clear American customs on the way out, even with a customs broker. On the Canadian side, it took them an hour and a half, and the customs agent said “welcome home!”
Kids give us such great insights. And your postings welcome those insights and expand our own.
I come from a family who has adopted kids, who are different races from me, and they've dad kids with other different races--it has expanded and allowed us all to accept whatever comes to pass and allow for difference with a freedom that others may have such difficulties accepting.
You are pointing to the most important but least understood truth of all: we are one big human family. When we help our kids to understand that, we give them a world to love, and as you said, a very special freedom.
The flexibility, curiosity and openness of your remarkable children are also testament to their parents!
Thank you, Sharon. That means a lot.
They do have a trait I don’t understand, though. They both like Russian candy.
If only the whole world could learn to accept without prejudices all those that enter our realms...
Always enjoy your tales. Always.
J
If we let them, the kids will save us.
Rich lives, well lived. Merry Christmas to all.
Great story, Mr Switter! I am guessing they have grown up to be creative and open-minded human beings.
They kinda of don’t know what the word foreigner means, but they do know what people are.
LOVED this!! ❤️ Re dust on the car, I had some Dutch kids who came up to me & asked if I would like them to wash the "Sahara dust" off my car (I do not live near this desert, but I enjoyed the expression that they used:)
Kids are amazing sponges & so wonderful that you have given this exposure to your children. I, btw, am surrounded by friends who grew up & are fluent in 4 + different languages & alas, I am a dunderhead American who fumbles with the English language.
I LOVE your observations of life in another country. First article that I have read of yours ~ so I will look forward to reading more❣️
You are welcome and thank you for reading.
I love this story and it reminds me of my childhood in many ways. English was learned, forgotten, relearned so many times. I spoke German, Dutch, and French but German is the lone survivor as I had family with which to practice.
The ability to read and write disappears quickly for adult learners, too. Once we learn these tricky languages and communication skills, it’s use or lose.
Oh I love your descriptions of your children. Children are like that, sponges that soak up, and I will add with joy, new experiences that come there way. Jesus had it right when He said, "Let the little children come to me and don't forbit them." A poor paraphrase, but you get the idea. Children also have a ministry. Thank you for sharing your stories, they inspire! I agree with Sharon below, your children ARE a testament to their parents!
Sandy, you say such kind things about my wife!
Merry Christmas.
Your kids were lucky! So lucky! To have had the opportunity to live in an entirely different part of the world under the protection of their parents AND to pick up second and third languages - wow! I suppose my husband and I could have accepted teaching positions in some other part of the world but we were not so bold. We couldn't even give our kids the gift of a second language. At least we instilled in them curiosity and appreciation for other languages and cultures. 🤷🏻♀️
Be grateful that your kids don’t crave Russian candy!
We received criticism, some pretty harsh, about moving overseas with our ‘tweens and didn’t get much encouragement. In hindsight, it was the best thing we could do for them. Not everyone is faced with the same challenges and opportunities, but parents who instill in their children curiosity and appreciation for other languages and cultures are giving their children some of the greatest gifts in life.
And there’s something to be said about not needing to use Google Translate to find out what is written on the back window of your car.
Love this. And how are they doing now? Are they still living near or with you in the wilds of Idaho? I'm not disparaging that. Every little town and hamlet in America is a different culture ready for exploration. I hope my grands will remain as curious.
Our daughter and son in law live nearby and are thriving. Our son and daughter in law moved back to Alberta last month, where they both attended university and after they graduated, lived and workers for ten years.
As their dad, I have absolutely zero standing to discourage them from moving to Third World countries if they choose to, even the vast frozen ones with Starbucks (Tim Hortons is better!), Home Depot, and Walmart!
They're brave to live in Calgary. I almost move there when I was about 21. Too damned cold for my bones.
It’s warmer than where they lived before, up near Edmonton, but below -20, it’s all academic.
Exactly ... it's just plain cold whether it F or C.
A wonderful account of children's ability to learn.
Ma and Pa Switter have likely visited the Great White North ( elbow bent at 90 degrees up, Tim Horton's coffee in hand, briskly walking. None of those Parisian cafe, slow coffee consumption rituals).
I encourage all to visit Canada - your $US go very far and we have a retail sales tax break on dining ( and other items ) until February15th/2025. The price on the menu is the price you pay. No taxes. Just a pre- election gimmick, but oddly refreshing ( not to see additional line items, Provincial tax, federal tax ).
I plan to head up early in the year. I kind of like the Great Frozen North. Lots of great people there, and who doesn’t like Red Green?
I’m also trying to talk my son into a road trip to Yellowknife in the winter. It’s such a great town and has the Walmart at the edge of the Universe.
When I was considering emigrating to Calgary, my friends their tried to help me land a job. One day, the woman interviewing me (us) looked at my friend and said, "You know, I really should be hiring Canadians. That was in the 70s when American men were swarming the place to avoid the draft. So I went back home.
It’s a little harder to move there these days, although when my kids moved back to Alberta recently, it took three days to clear American customs on the way out, even with a customs broker. On the Canadian side, it took them an hour and a half, and the customs agent said “welcome home!”
Whoa! Things are getting weird along the northern border and bound to get even weirder.
Kids give us such great insights. And your postings welcome those insights and expand our own.
I come from a family who has adopted kids, who are different races from me, and they've dad kids with other different races--it has expanded and allowed us all to accept whatever comes to pass and allow for difference with a freedom that others may have such difficulties accepting.
You are pointing to the most important but least understood truth of all: we are one big human family. When we help our kids to understand that, we give them a world to love, and as you said, a very special freedom.
Yes and thank you for pointing out how cultures differ and enrich, very special internal freedom!
Haha. I too have seen some movies with people walking across the screen in a movie theatre