Onni Asian Moms Meetups
Details:
★ For all who identify themselves as Asian parents, whether you recently moved to the Netherlands or grew up in the Netherlands as 2nd/3rd generation Asian Dutch.
★ Time and date: 10:00 – 12:00 on Wednesday 14th October
★ Location: Studio Bakkerij, Bergweg 283, 3037 EM, Rotterdam
★ Tea & coffee included.
★ Registration: Pay what you want. Please sign up via Studio Bakkerij (link to be added)
Raising children with our heritage languages
Raising multilingual children can be a rewarding journey, but it can also come with its own challenges. Multilingual families might find ourselves navigating questions such as:
● How can we encourage children to actively respond and use our heritage languages, instead of understanding but replying in Dutch?
● How can we pass on our heritage language when we don’t feel fully confident or fluent ourselves?
● How can we make space for heritage language learning alongside school, activities and family life?
● In multilingual families, how do we find a family language strategy that works for parents, children and different generations?
● How can we support children who are learning a different writing system alongside the Dutch alphabet?
Whether your heritage language is your first language, one you learned from your own parents, or one you are hoping to pass on to the next generation, this workshop will offer valuable insights and practical guidance.
What We’ll Explore
Together, we will explore:
● Why heritage languages matter for children’s identity, family relationships, and future opportunities.
● Common myths and misconceptions about raising multilingual children.
● Practical strategies for supporting heritage language development in everyday family life.
● How to navigate multilingual parenting in the Dutch context, even when family members have different levels of proficiency in the heritage language.
● Ways to foster a positive and joyful multilingual environment at home.
Sharing, Community and Questions
Learning and passing on a heritage language can be an emotional journey, with its ups and downs. In this workshop, we will have plenty of opportunities for discussion, questions, and sharing experiences with other families.
Are there questions you would like to see addressed during the workshop. Please send them to connect@onnirotterdam.nl and we’ll pass them on to the speaker.
Something Special for the Little Ones
At Studio de Bakkerij, there will also be a Koekie Boekie session running alongside this meetup, with stories read in Dutch for the little ones. You are more than welcome to combine the two and make it a fun day for you and your children.
Come as You Are
We hope everyone leaves this meetup with a deeper understanding of multilingual development and concrete ideas they can apply at home. Whether you are just beginning your multilingual parenting journey or have been navigating it for years, you are warmly welcome!
About the Speaker
Dr. Ute Limacher-Riebold is a linguist, multilingualism advisor, and international speaker specializing in multilingual families, heritage languages, and intercultural communication. She supports parents, educators, and organizations in creating environments where children can thrive in more than one language.
Drawing on both research and extensive practical experience, Ute helps families understand how multilingual development works and how heritage languages can become a natural and enriching part of everyday life. Her workshops are known for combining evidence-based insights with practical strategies that parents can confidently apply at home.
As a multilingual parent herself, Ute brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to the topic, creating an engaging and supportive space for discussion, reflection, and learning.
Link: https://utesinternationallounge.com/
With thanks to: Gemeente Rotterdam, Rotterdamse Vrouwenfonds, Soroptimist International Club Rotterdam. and van Beek-Donner Stichting.
