When I had something difficult to do, I used to ask my mom for help. But she always said, "Do it yourself, my dear. "I would get so angry. I thought she was the laziest mother in the world!

For example, one day, I decided to invite some friends to my home. My bedroom was in a mess. Books, clothes and shoes were all over the table and ground. I didn't make my bed, either. I asked, "Could you please help me clean the room, Mom? " But she said seriously, "Do it yourself, my dear girl. I'm busy. You should do it yourself. "

Because of my "lazy mom", I have to do many chores, such as washing my clothes and cleaning my room. I have to help my parents and my little sister. And I also have to go to the dentist by myself.

It is really hard for me to do everything on my own, but I have learned a lot. As time goes by, I understand my mother. Thanks to her "laziness", I become clever and hard-working. Just as my mom always says, "A lady can't be lazy, or she'll be crazy. Work can make you sunny! "What a great mother! Don't you think so?

When I was a little girl, I remember that when my dad was fixing things around the house, he would ask me to hold his hammer(锤子) so that 1 would have time to chat with each other. 

I grew up and 2 home for college. 3  that, my dad called me every Sunday morning, no matter what happened. Several years later, I bought a house. My dad came over and 4 it by himself for three days in the summer heat. He asked me to hold a paint brush and talk to him when he painted. But I was too 5  that day. I couldn't find any time for a 6 with my dad. 

Four years ago, my dad was visiting me. He spent many 7 putting together a swing set for my daughter. He asked me to bring him a cup of tea and talk with him, but I had to prepare for a trip that weekend, 8  I didn't have time for any long conversations that day. 

One Sunday morning came a(n)9 call. My father had had an accident and was in the 10 . I immediately bought a ticket home. While I was on the plane, I 11 all of the opportunities I had missed to talk with my dad. 

By the time I got to the hospital, it was too 12 . My father had passed away. 

Now he was the one who didn't have time for a conversation. I 13 how little I knew about my dad, since I had 14 made time to talk to him. 

All he ever asked me for was my 15 . But now, he gets my attention every time he comes into my thoughts. 

Labor education is required in China with the purpose of developing students' independence. Students in primary and middle schools have to take at least one class every week to learn basic household skills like cooking and cleaning. What should you learn in labor education? 

① Many parents agree that kids should learn to do chores. But how many chores should children do? It depends on their ages. Below is a guide to help. 

② At two or three years old, the chores will need to be very basic( 基 础的). When you do the dishes, you could have your child dry the bowls or plates with a kitchen towel. A 2—3-year-old could also help you set the dinner table, pick up any clothes or pillow from the floor. 

③ At five years old, some examples of chores include putting books away on the shelf, putting toys away, helping to fold clothes, helping to put away dishes, washing and cutting vegetables(with a safe knife), and feeding pets. 

④ At eight years old, you can increase the difficulty of chores. By now, they can sweep floors, learn how to do their own washing, pack(包装；收拾)a lunch box and even learn how to make their own lunch. 

⑤ As children get older, into the 10—11 years old, they can start doing bigger chores, like cleaning the toilet, making some basic meals for the family, and doing the dishes. 

⑥ Anyway, you know your children best. You can decide what they should do as long as there is a balance between learning skills and making sure of safety

Kids will often ignore(忽视) your requests for them to shut off the TV, start their chores, or do their homework as a way not to follow your directions. Before you know it, you've started to sound like a broken record as you repeatedly ask them to clean their room, or take out the trash. Rather than saying "Do your chores now", you'll be more effective if you set a time for when the chores have to be completed. So instead of arguing about starting chores, just say, "If chores aren't done by 4:00 p. m. , here are the consequences . "Then it's up to your child to complete the chores. Put the ball back in their court. Don't argue or fight with them, just say, "That's the way it's going to be. If your chores aren't done by 4:00 p. m. , then no video game time until chores are done. And if finishing those chores runs into homework time, that's going to be your loss. "On the other hand, when dealing with homework, keep it very simple. Have a time when homework starts, and at that time, all electronic products(电子产品) go off and do not go back on until you see that their homework is done. If your kids say they have no homework, then they should use that time to study or read

When a kid wears his iPod or headphones when you're trying to talk to him, make no bones about it; he is not ignoring you, he is disrespecting you. At that point, everything else should stop until he takes the earplugs out of his ears. Don't try to communicate with him when he's wearing headphones—even if he tells you he can hear you. Wearing them while you're talking to him is a sign of disrespect. Parents should be very strict about this kind of thing. Remember, respect becomes more important as children mature(成熟). 

—Thank you. I write         than before.

Tara doesn't work Tina.

  , you or your brother?

My hometown is becoming .