For those of you who don't know me, my name is Megan and I'm 23yrs old and work as a Nanny to a adorable 2yr old girl. I've been teaching Haley signs since she was 10mo old and as of right now she has a 220 signing vocab. I'm not fluent in ASL by any means, I'm still learning myself. The family I work for has been one of the best things that's happened to me and enjoy using Sign with Haley. I've been turning my voice off and signing to Haley. She's doing really well reading the signs, just trying to get her to sign back in more then just "yes" or "no". I was told to not talk as I signed, it was considered rude in the Deaf community. So I told the mom that I was no longer signing and talking at the same time, and Haley either whispers or doesnt talk at all when she signs. Her mom was thrilled at her progress and joked that she better catch up on her signing skills. Well when I told the dad the progress he asked me to not have her not talk when she signs. He said that he didnt want to discourage her speaking. I told him it was considered rude to the Deaf and his response was "well she's not deaf." I just kind of . I was actually a lost for words and I felt myself choking up and made a quick exit. I guess he figured he hurt my feelings because he tried telling me that when he's seen someone sign that they mouth the words, and maybe not having a child sign and talk was were parents feared the delay in speech. I told him it didnt work like that, but its cool. I went to my car and cried...cried for so many reasons. I cried because I now know its futile to try and teach Haley ASL because if her dads afraid not talking as she signs will delay speech then I can only imagine what he'd think of ASL. I cried because its so hard to find ways to sign everyday. I have no one to sign with. My family tries, but the communication barrier has me more frustrated then inspired. I have to study for my ASVAB (get into the Navy), I have 4 step-kids, one who has severe anger problems thats getting out of hand and we're at a lost trying to find someone to help, one who has horrible reading and spelling skills and we have to spend extra time teaching him, one child who is such a mommas boy that he pushes me away, and one who wants to move in so badly she cries everytime she has to go home. My fiance had a stroke in september so I am the only working person in our house, and I try putting in as many hours as possible. I literally feel drained and I want to give on any loves I have...even if that means ASL. Sorry for the rant...I needed somewhere to vent.