Hi minder, this is precisely why I need the help of other parents/carers! I too speak pretty basic Mandarin - it is very much my second language, and I am only *just* literate for all practical purposes, despite having studied the subject at school. I hope it will all come back once I have people to practice with/ am forced to speak it in an immersion situation - even if only at toddler/household vocabulary level! Anyone who can speak any Mandarin is welcome to join, but I think immersion is important - my daughter has already picked up the habit of replying in English - bit like history repeating itself as this is the same thing I used to do with my parents (they spoke to me in Chinese and I replied in English) from age 4-ish, resulting in my current lack of fluency... Who knows, perhaps this will prove futile - but I'm giving it my best shot!