Came across this blog 9 years ago. My little sunshine has become a big teenager now—still our sunshine, but a big one.
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After 2 days of "pushing" my 3.5-year-old girl to speak her second language (English), there was some astonishing positive result; if she a little stuttered on the first day, then on the second, she automatically spoke small sentences and exclamations on her own without my correcting. To start a long conversation, she still needed to get more clarity between Italian and English, but it was no big deal; she spontaneously spoke English after that. I was thrilled; at first, I was even a little worried that she would be stressed, but no, "there is no difficulty in a kid's lingual ability" is true. She showed no sign of distress and happily switched the languages as requested. :)
So, this morning, I looked at her in the eyes and said, "thank you for speaking English to me; it means a lot; I do very much appreciate it." - "You're welcome, mommy" - "I love you, honey, a lot" - "I love you too, a lot of mommy! More than you love me" - no, not true! I love you more; I love you so much more - no! I love you more, more more more more more more more more more more more more so much more." (WOW!!! From my heart, there was a big wave of joy that only a parent can understand.)
Ultimately, I gave up. "ok, you win this time then! Only this time"- "No, I win all the time, cuz I always love you more."
She made my day!! It is so wet and grey today, but who cares? I have my little sunshine with me who loves me more than I love her ... just THIS TIME. :)