Sundays with Schoolhouse Moms Interview 16 w/ SAHM mom Melody

This will be the last Sundays with Schoolhouse moms interview for the time being--starting next week we'll be highlighting some of the best spots around Rome for the summer!

Name: Melody
Occupation: Domestic Engineer
Affiliated website/business: 

How long have you been in Rome and what brought you here? I've been here for around six years.

How many languages do you speak? English, Italian, Spanish and enough French to be dangerous.

Have you lived anywhere else other than Rome? Yes...Canada.

Tell me about your family background and structure: My partner and I have two kids, a boy and a girl--ages 3 and 4.

How do you approach language in your home with your kids? Well, we try to do the each parent sticks to one language thing.  Their dad is Italian and I'm Canadian, but it's a model that's kinda difficult to stick to sometimes.  We often find ourselves going back and forth between the languages.  Whatever.  As long as we're understood and we can understand that's what matters, right?

Which language are your children more dominant in and why? Definitely Italian. I guess because they use it the most with their friends and our family here.  I'll notice little grammar mistakes that wouldn't be there if we lived in an English-speaking country...but they'll get it eventually.

How do you think languages are best learned? None of this "ease into it" stuff.  You have to be thrown into it...it should be uncomfortable at the beginning, then easier as you spend more time in the language and learn more...until you're fluent. People expect languages to come easily. No. You have to work for it.  I'm full immersion all the way.  I mean, how do babies learn?

What schoolhouse course option are you considering for the fall and why? I'm so frustrated that I didn't just wait before picking a school for my kids.  Before you guys started this, nothing like it existed in Rome....at least I couldn't find it.  So I'm really pissed (can I say that?) Of course! I'm really pissed that I went ahead and enrolled my kids in this private school that has the same kind of schedule as the morning option you guys are offering.  Because I'm the type of mom, and I know this is rare here in Rome, but I'm the type of mom that doesn't want my kids at school all day until they are ready, which is in first grade in my opinion.  I want to be with my kids and can.  I'm not just going to put them somewhere just so that they're out of the house. But aside from that, where I put them is a nice place and everything, but they just play all day.  They even told the parents that...and as a mom, I think there's so much more than they can be doing.  Then I met you, Tamara, and realized that THIS is what they need. Yes they should be playing, absolutely-but I want an academic spin on it, too.  And I would love for that to be in English.  So they'll do this year where I put them-only because I already paid the deposit-and then next year they're at The English Schoolhouse.  Absolutely.

Now the fun stuff...

If you could speak any other language, which would it be and why?

Any of the Asian languages! Chinese or Japanese.  Probably Chinese--it just looks so difficult so to be able to have it for free would be awesome.

What language are you the least attracted to and why?
Difficult question...I'm not a big fan of German.  Don't really know why.

What are your top 3 favorite restaurants in the city?
I love little holes in the wall--places that don't even have signage outside but have an Italian nonna in the back room making the best cicoria you've ever tasted.  I love a good pizzeria, too.  There's a great Pizza al Taglio off of Campo de' Fiori that is just wonderful. I can't commit to three.  I like anything and everything that tastes good.

What do you think about parenting in a city like Rome? Do you find it to be an easy or difficult city to raise children in?

I think it is what you make it.  Just like any place there are ups and downs.  If you have family to help that makes it easier...and if you're married/with a person who can and will share the load.

What's your favorite place to hang out? 

Our terrace...the beach.

Any good recommendations for a date night out?
People do that?

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why?
Somewhere hot with a beach--an island. I could live in my swimsuit.

If you have a little bit of time to yourself, how do you normally spend it?
Thinking about what I should be doing...

What website do you waste the most time on?
news sites

What's your favorite magazine?
Vogue Italia, but I never buy it

Favorite children's book?
The Cat in the Hat

Favorite song to dance to?
Wild Night

What was the last book you read and how would you rate it?
How to Be Good...it was....good. :)

Do you cook, and if so would you mind sharing a quick go-to recipe?
Huh?

Anything else you want to add? Shameless plug? 

You guys are a cool couple with a great plan and the talent to back it up.  Prepare yourselves...I think you're about to have more success than what you're expecting.

Thank you...that's a really kind thing to say.