how do I raise a child bilingual - also any German mothers in Bournemouth area?

[Zauberfee]

HI
I`m German and dd is 1 month old. Obviously I want to raise her bilingually but I heard that I have to speak German constantly to her and that she shouldn´t realise that I can also speak English (which I do to db) otherwise she will not speak German. Is that true? I mean I cannot always leave the room when I want to talk to db who doesn´t speak a word of German!? Any comments about experiences are very much appreciated!
thanx!

I don't think you have to take it that literally. Perhaps as she gets older set aside a time each day or a mealtime where you all speak German exclusively (including db/dh ?) and obviously take as many other opportunities as you can with relatives and german speaking friends so she hears it conversationally, and through exposure to videos and books as she develops. When you are alone with her chatter along in German.

Zauberfree, I have been brought up a bilingual and my children 3 -lingual.We did (do ) the OPOL (one parent one language) I always speak Dutch to the children, but everyday they hear me speaking 3 other languages.They have always answered me in Dutch.They translate for my husband but even though I speak Italian to my husband and they know I speak it, they will tell teh same story twice when we are together.
My son (4) just asked me in Dutch what 'tomorrow' is in Dutch, ( he said 'tomorrow' in English) and then said what he had to say in Dutch.
Even my 11 year old will ask me sometimes ' please can I say this in English' .
The children are not confused at all, they like to keep the languages separated, although between them they speak a very funny mix.
My husband doesn't understand Dutch by the way : his problem, not mine .

phew, thanks for that! I´ve already started to brabbel German to dd but I always find myself saying things in both languages anyway as I am used to that from when my family comes over

Hi Zauberfee!
My dd is now 5. When she was born my dp did not speak a word of German so I had to speak to him in English. But to dd I have spoken German only since the day she was born(even though now I occasionally reply to her in English when she says something to me in English, which she started to do a few weeks after starting school last year - which means I have to concentrate very hard to stick to German only...).
The side effect of me only talking German to dd is that dp has picked up a lot of German over the years, which he is keen to practice every time we visit Germany and he also has very basic (and short) conversations with my mother (who doesn't speak any English) on the phone!

Zauberfee, dh doesn't speak German so I speak English with him
DD 4 understands me perfectly and now starts coming out with the odd German word in English sentences.

However, under no circumstances am I allowed to speak English to her... SHE tells me off for it!

We moved to Italy this year and my children have learnt the language brilliantly. They don't seem to be confused at all and will speak in Italian outside and English at home. My DH Italian is not good and mine is not perfect so for DH we speak English. I think its better because my son is only 3 and may not speak English so well later when he normally speak Italian.

zauberfee, I am also German and just speak German to the children and English to dh, and English when we're having a family conversation. I also tell the children off in English sometimes - 'naughty' is just too useful a word!
My 6 yr old dd is bilingual - English is her stronger language, but she copes fine when surrounded by German speakers and speaks German well enough to make herself understood in even quite complex situations (her Grammar is a bit funny but she'll get there). She has also taught herself to read German.
My 4 yr old dd has special needs (Down's syndrome) and is hearing impaired, but she too understands both languages and says a few German words.
My 2.5 yr old ds also copes fine but obviously gets his languages completely muddled up still.

\link{http://www.beginningwithi.com/italy/living/bilingua.htm\description}

I hope that does a link but other wise the website is

www.beginningwithi.com/italy/living/biling
ua.htm

It might be of interest to those with or trying to have bilingual children

Close friends do the one parent one language, so mum always speaks english to the children, and dad always speaks russian. As a couple they always speak russian to eath other, so the children hear more of it, as are living in england atm. Their LOs cope really well, and their ds chatters away in both languages no problem.