ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to address some of the challenges experienced by parents when raising children as speakers of more than one language. The central issue is ensuring that the child gets enough input and interaction in the minority language or languages, but matters such as what parents can do if they feel they are losing their proficiency in their first language are covered. Ideas about how to ensure that a child continues to have the opportunity to develop their languages even if the family situation changes are discussed, as well as how to address the common problem of children not wanting to use the minority language. The case of children with special needs, and what parents should do if they suspect their child may have a language disorder, are discussed. There is a lot that parents can do to support their child’s multilingual language development through the teenage years to adulthood, and this chapter gives many examples from other families.
