by Rachel Peachey

If there’s one thing that’s true about raising bilingual kids, it’s that there’s never a dull moment.  We recently spent some time with my parents in the USA.  My 3 year old son (we’ll call him peanut) who has been mainly a Spanish speaker and English understand-er has transformed himself into a full on little translating machine.  There have been many fun, exciting moments since he was fully immersed in an English environment.  And this one is by far my favorite:

Peanut: I want burbujas

Grandpa: Burbujas?

Peanut: Bubbles.  Spanish.

Grandpa: Wow?! What’s going on in that head of yours, do you have a computer in there?

Peanut: (confused) No.

Mom: Hahaha.  What do you have in your head then?  Do you have candy in there?

Peanut: No soy una piñata! (I’m not a piñata)

I am what I am

What a joke for a 3 year old!  Yet there is some wisdom here too.  Have you ever felt that others are defining you?  It’s something most people struggle with in their adolescence and early-twenties and oh let’s be realistic – it happens throughout life. When this happens, how nice it is to know who you are and what you are with little to no wavering.  Although who you are may change and transform over time, it’s wonderful to be able to say emphatically “No soy una piñata!”

Here’s to hoping this ability lasts for my little peanut!

Photo Credit: Piñata through Photopin: License