As of September 27, 2008, I have been living outside Munich 4 years and my children are fully integrated into German society, attending school and daycare. Both of my children are bilingual while I still haven’t fully grasped the German language. My daughter has even picked up Hungarian from the lady that takes care of her during the day. Kids are so lucky that language comes so early to them. I’m almost 40 and struggling with the Deutsch language but I do speak it when I don’t have a choice. In Munich proper everyone speaks English but since I live off the beaten path, the people where I live speak a Bavarian dialect. This is similar to an American Southerner talking to someone with a clean accent. When American Southern meets Bavarian German, it’s tragic. On the upside, I do like it when German people tell me I have a cute accent.
On a patriotic note, I’m trying to keep the American Spirit alive in my kids. This doesn’t pose a problem with my son who still loves the US and talks of wanting to go back there. Unfortunately there is nothing to go back to at the moment but I try to keep the happy memories alive by buying American foods that he likes such as Kellogg’s™ Pop-Tarts™ and making homeade chocolate chip cookies. These things always make him happy, which in turn make me happy.
Another good way is by watching good old-fashioned American sitcoms. Sitcoms not sh*tcoms. I make him watch the ones from the early 80′s and he loves them, proving that they are indeed timeless. Unfortunately they do not make em like that anymore. Tonight we watched an episode of The Jeffersons on YouTube. Thank God for YouTube. We also watch oldies but goodies like Laverne and Shirley, What’s Happening!!! and Family Ties. One should never ever forget Alex P. Keaton. Oh, and the mother of all sitcoms, The Golden Girls. I try to steer him away from the trash that is South Park. Mocking Jesus is never a good thing.
Things are a little more complicated with my girl. It’s hard because she’s only been back to my native country once, not enough time to instill any type of culture. She has no idea that I come from a different country but she does know that her dad and I are different because she knows when to speak to both of us in our native tongues. In my own way I depart some of my culture on her. I mainly cook American food at home. I never cook German. I would not know where to begin. We read English nursery rhymes. She’s hooked on Elmo, America’s pride and joy. Not bad for a 2.5 year old. As she gets older I will broaden this scope, but for now she’s okay.
I am glad I am raising my kids in such a nice country. Every year I notice more and more Americans flocking in. Which is a strange paradox because years ago the Germans were fleeing to America, the Land of Opportunity. Sadly, it’s not that anymore which is why I left in the first place. All I can do is instill the America that I once knew in my kids. It’s a shame my kids will never really know the America I grew up in. I feel so sorry for this generation in a lot of ways but I digress. All we can do is move forward 
Your kids will probably pick up on many different languages during the time you are there since you are pretty much in the center of Western Europe. Our travel guide knew at least ten. And btw, people think our Southern accent and lingo is pretty darn cute wherever we go.
I’m glad you are keeping the American spirit alive in your kids. Do you ever plan on moving back? So, what do you got against cooking German food? I really don’t care for it myself. No sauerkraut and sausages for me unless it’s Down Home Sausage. I luv baklava though.
10 different languages? Someone’s a bit of an overachiever. That’s above and beyond the call of duty. About moving back, we’ll just see which way the wind blows us. If the antichrist crops up here, you’ll see my smiling face tomorrow
I don’t have anything against German cooking. It would be just like you tackling Indian cooking. Cindy there is more to German cooking than sauerkraut,sausages and pretzels none of which I like. They have a lot of meat,potatoes and beer. BTW baklava is Greek an delish 
You’re right, my bad. I must have baklava on the brain. I need my fix. And bratzworst and sauerkruat seemed to be the only thing on the menu when we were there. If I remember correctly, they drank their beer warm. Ugh! I wasn’t too impressed with my trip to Germany, probably because it was raining and we were stuck inside our couple of days there. Although… I won’t forget their beds…white comforters you wrap yourself in, stuffed with feathers that keep you warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s hot.
You will have to give Germany another chance. I hate beer so that’s never a problem. The beds are awesome. My parents were in love with the them. They were jetlagged and slept all day long.
Oh…And the famous Black Forrest Cake in Black Forrest! Must not leave that out!
Next time I’m wandering around in the Black Forest with a Black Forest Cake I will think of you
Yes!
And you’ll have to take me on a proper tour of Germany. I have always wanted to go back to Europe and hang out with the locals instead of just doing the tourist thing.
No problem. Summer is awesome here.