My husband and I insisted that our children were old enough to clean their rooms and make their
beds. But they thought 21 . My complaints, even self-justified shouting, were always landing on 22_
ears. Very often a whole hour's scolding would end with their 23 into tears, I felt very frustrated
(沮丧的).I realized I needed to 24 my method of "mothering".
One day when they were at school, I spent some time 25 their rooms. On their desks, in plain _26 ,
I left the cards: "网 Bill (the other card was 27 to Sarah), your room was messy this morning
and I'm sure you like it clean. Love, the Room Fairy." 28 arriving back, the children were __29
excited to receive the little note from the Room Fairy. The next day, their rooms were fairly tidy. Sure
enough, there was another note from the Room Fairy ___30 for them, thanking them for their nice "gift"
of a clean room and 31 asking them to play a certain violin 32 . Each day, thank--you notes would
be written differently to keep the ideas 33 .
Sometimes the Room Fairy would propose a little 34 : "If you can finish your homework and __35
your lessons before dinner, I' d like to watch a particular television program with you tonight." Sometimes
some colored markers or other little items would be left in 36 of well done jobs the day ___37 .
38 I can't remember how long "the Room Fairy" continued leaving her love notes. When they were
age appropriate, we used various versions of Post-Its(贴条). The bathroom mirror became the 39
centre of our home. Appointments, notices about visiting relatives, lesson schedules, and changes in plans
could be posted.
We all benefited from and 40 the idea of sharing reminders and daily details of life through notes. I
believe the true advantage of the Room Fairy notes survives in our frequent and enjoyable communication. |