When my husband and I found out we were expecting our daughter, we knew that language would be at the heart of her identity. With Brazilian, French, and American cultures flowing through our family, raising her trilingual wasn’t just a goal — it was a way to honor our backgrounds and immerse her in the richness of the world she was born into. We wanted her to feel at home across continents, to recognize herself in many places, and to grow up celebrating every part of who she is.
I grew up in Brazil, my husband was raised in France, and today we are building our life together in the United States (in Atlanta at the moment). Our home is a colorful tapestry of languages, traditions, and experiences — and we dreamed of weaving all of them into our daughter’s everyday life.
It is not that easy though.
Raising a child in three languages takes daily intention, a lot of patience, and sometimes, a willingness to let go of perfection.
Our daughter is now 15 months old, and she says a few words mixed across the three languages: “água” (water in Portuguese), “non” (no in French), and “more”.
Sometimes I feel a bit scared that she might fall behind compared to other kids her age or struggle to express herself clearly. But even when doubts creep in — when tiredness, convenience, or social pressure tempt us to default only to English — we stay committed.
Because even in those moments, we remind ourselves that consistency, love, and encouragement are the keys.
Our goal is not to create a perfectly trilingual child overnight — it’s to offer her a lifelong gift: the ability to understand, connect with, and feel at home in more than one world.
How We’re Nurturing Three Languages at Home
One Parent, One Language (OPOL) Approach
At home, we naturally divide languages based on who is speaking. I speak to her primarily in Portuguese, my husband speaks to her in French, and English fills in from daycare, playdates, and the world around us.
Daily Exposure Through Play and Books
We weave languages into her day through songs, bedtime stories, and playful conversations. Some books are in Portuguese, others in French, and we embrace English in her surroundings.
Consistency Over Perfection
Some days one language dominates more than others — and that’s okay. We focus on creating a joyful connection to language rather than strict rules.
Celebrating Every Small Win
Whether it’s a new word in any language or simply mixing them creatively, we celebrate every effort. Every word she learns is a bridge she’s building between her worlds.
If You’re Thinking About Raising a Multilingual Child
Start Small
If three languages feel overwhelming, focus on one minority language first and grow from there.
Make It Fun
Songs, games, cartoons — playful exposure makes language learning natural.
Trust the Process
Language development can look different for every child. Mixing languages or slower speech milestones are common and perfectly normal.
Stay Consistent
Daily exposure, even in small doses, builds the foundation for lifelong fluency.
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering whether raising a multilingual child is worth the effort, I promise you — it is.
The ability to belong in more than one world is a priceless gift. Every story you read together, every lullaby you sing, every small word they utter in a new language is building bridges your child will walk for the rest of their life.
