Raising a child in two languages

Dear Mr. Dad: My wife, who is pregnant, is Chinese. It's important to us that our child speak both English and Chinese fluently. How can we raise a bilingual child?

A: It's not that hard, if you make a commitment now and stick with it. The trick will be to completely compartmentalize the two languages. You need to establish some clear boundaries, such as English with Daddy, Chinese with Mommy. Because you're living in an English-speaking country, it will help to have other people around who speak Chinese. You might also want to get Chinese language children's books, tapes, DVDs, etc., so your baby can start learning the culture as well. He or she will probably lag a little behind in spoken language development for the first few years of life. However by the time he or she starts school, your child will be completely bilingual.

Doctor discomfort

Dear Mr. Dad: I'm strongly opposed to people seeing a doctor of the opposite sex. I won't see a female doctor myself, but my pregnant wife has a male gynecologist. That makes me very uncomfortable, especially when I go the exams with her. I've asked her to change to a female doctor, but she gets mad at me and says she won't. What should I do?

A: I think everyone's choice of doctor is a personal one. You should see whomever you want. And if your wife feels more comfortable with a male doctor, respect her decision.

Armin Brott, whose latest book is "The New Father: A Dad's Guide to the First Year, Second Edition," hosts KOIT's weekly "Positive Parenting" radio show. Send him your questions c/o Bay Area Living, 4770 Willow Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588 or armin@mrdad.com .

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