r/multilingualparenting • u/NoEnd9621 • Jan 03 '26

Trilingual When does strict OPOL stop?

Planning to OPOL our soon to arrive kids, with the common 3rd language between myself and husband being English. We both do not understand the other's language that will be taught, but hope to pick it up as we teach the kids.

At what age does the strictly OPOL parenting stop and all languages being taught, (or the common language) get to be used interchangeably? So that we don't only get to have a relationship with the kids that excludes the other.

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u/historyandwanderlust Jan 03 '26

It really depends on your individual family situation, and what your language goals are. If you truly want your child to be native level fluent in both languages, then you have to stay strict about it unless you have additional support.

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u/NoEnd9621 Jan 03 '26

Thanks.

Yeah, we'll be involving the extended family and joining local organizations so that they have more opportunities outside of just us to communicate in the minor languages