When Your Kids Are Bilingual…………..

I am the parent of two teenagers.  As part of this mission, I have accepted the responsibility to keep up with the times.  I am well versed in Lil’ Wayne, Drake and Trey Songz.  I know about Jordans and snapbacks (baseball caps in my day).  I understand the capabilities of Facebook, Twitter and iPods.  I can text with the best of them.  What I don’t understand are the words that are coming out of my kids’ mouth.

This past weekend I hung out my daughters.  Princess and Diva (not their real names) are always good company.  They joined me as I ran errands and window shopped.  It was during this excursion that I learned that my girls are bilingual.  The signs were there.  They both take Spanish in school.  But this language was something different.  Example:

Diva:  “Mom, I want a camo jacket for Christmas.”

Me:  “What’s a camo jacket?”

Diva:  “A jacket.  All my friends have them.”

Me:  “Huh?  What is a camo?”

Diva:  “Mom, you are so lame.  I’ll show you.”

We go to the Sports Authority store and there we find the camo jacket more commonly referred to as camouflage.  You know, something a hunter or the military would wear.  When they go hunting.

Why would a teenage girls want to wear this?

After a quick exit from the store, our conversation continued.

Me:  “I’m not buying that?”

Diva:  “Why?”

Me:  “It’s ugly and I’m not spending my money on it.”

Diva:  “You don’t have to like everything I like.”

Me:  “That’s true. But I have to like it if I’m buying it.”

Princess (who has been laughing and making comments the entire time): “Hunnerd?”

Me:  “What are you saying?  Hundred?”

Princess:  “No.  You say hunnerd.”

Me: “What does that mean?”

Princess:  “You know, it means ‘true’ or ‘that’s right’.”

Me: “Then why don’t you just say true.”

Diva:  “Mom, you are so lame.”

All of our conversations end with me being labeled “lame”.  And I can live with that.  At least I know what it means.

What do you think?  Do you think speak another language?  Any colorful phrases you want to share?  I can’t be alone in this.