Passing on German Heritage

Passing on German heritage doesn’t require fluency, family heirlooms, or a passport. You don’t need to be “more German," you just need the desire to make it part of your family rhythm. This page is for parents, homeschoolers, and teachers who want to share German roots in real, doable ways. No fluff. No lecture. Just usable tools that help kids understand where Oma came from and why it matters.

This will be an ever-evolving page, with resources and helpful tips to make your heritage journey a little easier. Follow along on Facebook or Pinterest to stay informed of when exciting new things come down the pipeline.

A Toolbox for German Heritage

How it looks before the ordered chaos begins

Start where you are. Whether you're introducing German traditions at the holidays, adding a cultural unit to your homeschool week, or simply want your kids to know that "Wurst" means "sausage," this section has what you need. Use the downloads. Adapt the ideas. Let these tools support what you're already doing: raising identity-aware kids who feel proud of their roots.

I'll keep adding to this page over time, so check back often for new printables, song guides, and cultural kits. This isn’t a fixed curriculum. It’s a growing toolbox, made for families and classrooms that want more than just heritage-themed décor.

Finding Identity in Your Environment

Growing with our environment

I wasn’t raised in a house full of German flags or strict traditions. My family leaned into assimilation. By the time I came along, “being German” meant more about meat and mustard than history and language.

For clarity, I'd go out on a confident limb and say my parents have zero regrets. And nor should they. We're all proud of our Canadian identity. However, reinforcing a strong German element further highlights what makes us all unique. 

It wasn’t until I became a parent that I felt the itch to dig deeper. Not out of guilt, just curiosity. I wanted my kids to have something rooted. Something that reminded them they came from somewhere, even if that “somewhere” was filtered through potato salad and Advent calendars.

I don’t speak fluent German (yet). My kids may not either. But they’ll know the songs. They’ll help cook the schnitzel. They’ll recognize a Christmas pyramid for what it is. That’s heritage. That’s enough.

This section isn’t about doing it all; it’s about doing something. If it helps you light a spark in your own home or classroom, it’s done its job.

About Me

did you know?

There are more bridges in Hamburg than in Venice, Amsterdam, and London combined!

Words to live by

Wir leben alle unter dem gleichen Himmel, aber wir haben nicht alle den gleichen Horizont.

We all live under the same sky, but we don’t all have the same horizon.

 - Konrad Adenauer