combining british and american culture for child

Hi,
I am 28 weeks pregnant with our first child, and all of my family lives in the states, I really have not made any friends in the year + that I have lived in England, and basically the only people I see and talk to are my husband's family.
Lately I feel like no one understand me (hormones are causing my emotions to yo-yo).
I want our child to be raised with an understanding of both british and american culture, traditions, beliefs, and general ways of doing things.  I want her to have a type of "best of both worlds".  I don't think my in-laws are trying to understand my feelings on this subject.  When I have expressed my feelings on this subject, they say things like, "Well we don't do it that way in England...." or " Your not in America anymore, luv...."  Often they make me feel like I am wrong in wanting my child to to be raised as not only british, but american as well.
Has anyone else had experiences like this, and if so, how did you cope?
Any thoughts on this are greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Janna

Huuggssss to you!  Remember in-laws can be trying even if they are from the same country! 

Your children will be raised by you; so you will give them many American perspectives on life - traditions, culture, beliefs and doing things.  As you draw upon your experiences (most of them American) - this perspective will be passed along to the kids. 

Don't worry about your in-laws getting it - just make sure your husband understands how important this is to you.

After you have the baby, you will have more opportunities to meet other mums and hopefully branch out your support network.

 

Your children will be raised by you; so you will give them many American perspectives on life - traditions, culture, beliefs and doing things.  As you draw upon your experiences (most of them American) - this perspective will be passed along to the kids. 

I completely agree with that. Janna, Congrats on the upcoming birth! I have three kids with my australian husband and we live in Ireland. (I am american.) Without me really even trying to teach my kids about american culture, they already understand more of it than I thought they would, considering none of them lived there apart from my eldest for the first year of her life. They pick up on my way of doing things, my way of speaking, etc. Same goes for picking up parts of the "australian way" from my husband. All this while living in a third culture - Ireland - and picking up elements of that as well! (including a very sweet irish/aussie/american accent) I think a lot of the cultural training just comes from observation, rather than directly teaching it to them. All the best for the rest of your pregnancy!

power-- you are right on!!  I am American  but I consider myself  Italian - American in my ways.. my parents were  both Immigrants  to the states  so although English was  never spoken at home with them, nor was  I  directly taught cultural things  about  the USA  obviously I picked it all up with  school, my cousins, and  just life in general.. 

We are not ready for children yet but my husband  gets very annoyed  with the way  certain  youth  speak English in England  and  the way certain things  get pronounced.. He threatens  that   he'd  kill our kids if they spoke that way...and I of course have brought it up  that chances are  they will sound  like me    The Horror!!   ...  he has  come to terms with  the chance that they will pronounce  things the way I do..at least at the beginning.. which makes  me  agree with  power..  in the end it only matters  that your  husband  'gets  it";.. and gets  you..  it's new for both of you..  hugs to you  Janna..  I am  so scared to have children here  and be so far from my own network.  like you..not a lot of friends  yet..  so be strong.. something great is around the corner!!  Congrats on your new  addition!!

Hi Jana,


First of all, congrats on your pregnancy.  I am currently 31 weeks pregnant with my second baby.  I'm American, partner is Scottish and I can relate to what you are saying about the inlaws.  They can be trying at the best of times, but with hormones kicking in, it can drive you nuts!  There is nothing wrong with wanting your child to know your culture and beliefs as well as it's fathers.  Try not to let them make you second guess yourself.  It is hard being pregnant so far away from your friends and family.  Hang in there!  My daughter was born here and is quite a blend of the two of us.  She is 22 months old and uses american words for things like diaper and stroller.  I found that going to ante natal classes, and, after the birth, new mom's groups really helped me.  I found that there were a lot of other mom's out there feeling the same way I did which did help. 

Kathleen 

I haven't read all the posts but Ill just add my usual 2 cents worth.
I have two American born sons. We moved here when they were just 2 and 5. Well the 2 year old has the typical Coventry accent as he basically learned to talk here. My other son whom is 10 now still has traces of an American accent but when he is among his peers he puts on a full accent. I pride myself on my lovely Midwestern American accent    and I always talk to the boys about how things are in the USA. Funny, I gave them graham crackers the other day and they looked at them like they were really FOREIGN. I told them I used to give them graham crackers when they were babies. My eldest son thought they were for breakfast and my husband thought they possibly should go in the toaster! In a nutshell I dont care how much you try to introduce your American culture to your child society will end up molding them afterall. But I am sure trying!
Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Hi all,
Thanks for your kind words and thoughts!
I have one question.....Pebbles, Where did you find graham crackers over here?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!  You got me craving s'mores now!!!!  lol
Thanks again everyone.

Janna

Congrats Janna! 

Hi all,
Thanks for your kind words and thoughts!
I have one question.....Pebbles, Where did you find graham crackers over here?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?! You got me craving s'mores now!!!! lol
Thanks again everyone.

Janna

I didnt find them here. AZroomie brought them back from the USA a few weeks ago
Im guarding them with my life! One graham cracker per kid per week. That should last me a few weeks. lol
So sad!