Acculturation is the process by which a non-native person integrates into his adopted culture. For many immigrants, living in America poses more challenges than just the language barrier. Approaches to child rearing, social customs, laws and peer influences are sometimes vastly different than a person's country of origin.

As a result, 1.5 (young children who immigrated with their parents) and second generation immigrants (children born after the move) have added challenges when forming identity. Where do they fit in? What values do they make their own? How do they demonstrate loyalty to their parents' culture while developing an association to the culture they're growing up in? Negotiating answers to these questions can bring chaos to a young person's developmental years.

On the other side of the fence, first generation immigrants (the adults), may be confused about their children's behavior or be disillusioned by what they had expected in "the land of opportunity." Communication becomes absolutely critical.

Immigrants have the unique opportunity to blend the best of the "old" with ideas from the adopted culture. There are ways to preserve cultural heritage while embracing new customs that can enhance family acculturation. Sometimes it just takes creativity and a little help to make that happen smoothly.