Thus we all had a need to learn new language and communication skills. As beginners, we took it one word at a time. Now, after eight years of practice, all of us know some signs. Dad may be the least proficient, but he never hesitates to communicate. Mom has a state level interpreting certificate, and brother and sister sign well enough to hold conversations with deaf adults.
Signs are a valued addition in our communication.
We are the family that can communicate across the park and in the quiet of the library. We have been blessed with many opportunities to educate people, strangers and friends, about people who are deaf. Most of our experiences with strangers have been fun and interesting. Much more often, parents tell me that they wish their family could sign the way we do. They can see sign isn't reserved as a way to teach our daughter, but a vibrant second language that is part of our lives.