This topic is actually my inspiration for starting this blog. Fresh off the heels of baptizing our son, I kept asking myself, “why is this such a big deal” and “what is it with all the rules?” All around me was this buzz attempting to direct me to “do things right” by dictating when it should happen, who should be chosen as the godparents, what the duties of the godparents are, etc., etc.

Now, I have always been one to rebel against too many rules, but as usual I put my stubborness aside (as I also did for my daughter) and attempted to compromise whenever possible. Throughout that process, I also came to realize that when it comes to rites of passage, I prefer to write my own rules. Only then do I truly feel the importance of, and connection to the ritual.

How much does cultural pressure play a role in your choices of rites of passage for your children? How closely tied are your culture and religion? And, at what point do you let your children make their own religious choices?

The discussion about multilingualism may come and go in the mainstream media, but it is a continuous hot topic among immigrants. We decided to place our daughter in a French immersion program since preschool. We have questioned our decision at times, but not as it relates to benefits to her overall development. There is this underlying debate within the Haitian community about whether or not parents should teach their children to speak Haitian Creole. French is often seen as a language of the elite and if that is the language you choose, than the assumption is that you are denying your true heritage. Luckily, our daughter is very smart (not that I am biased here ) and can move between English, French and Haitian Creole with ease. As we prepare to make the decision for our son, I would like to have an open mind about all the options available, as well. 

How do you decide whether to ensure that your child is bilingual or not? Moreover, how do you choose the languages you would like them to speak fluently?

Is being bilingual an important skill for your children to posess? If so, do you pick a commonly spoken language that will give them a competitive edge later in life? Or, do you choose the language of your family, regardless of its prevalence, to allow your child(ren) the ability to communicate with family members in their mother tongue?