Parenting Skills Passed Down
My parents taught that a life devoted to helping others is one full of purpose and meaning. I’m a physician and have worked with the homeless community for 11 years. I’ m also a mom to a boy who loves bike racing. Every time a rider fell or crashed, he’d stop and wait until they got up. He lost the race but won at being a good human.
—Sara Doorley Tijeras, New Mexico
I started a band as a high-school freshman with my brother’ s baritone horn (次中音号). I didn’t have previous lessons, so it was much harder for me. When I told my mom I was quitting, she told me to keep on trying. In due time I absolutely loved the band. Years later, my daughter Sheena was in the band, using the same baritone. One day, she, too, said she was quitting, and I told her not. She kept at it and came to love it too.
—Janet Brandes Collins, Wisconsin
I grew up as a tomboy (假小子). My mother occasionally told me to let the boys win, because they wouldn’t like me if I always beat them, so I did. My daughter is also quite athletic but has never heard those words. I tell her she’s as good as those boys and to do her best and win. And she has. She has grown up very confident and is even more broadly admired for her determination. What a difference a generation makes.
—Klari Frederick Linden, Michigan
I built an arcade machine (街机) with my son. I loved arcades as a kid, and my dad and I are software developers. Plus, it’s a good lesson: If you want something, build it! It’s bonding when we help the other player get out of a corner the bad guys have backed them into.
—Joe Hocking Highland Park, Illinois
【小题1】What life lesson does Janet Brandes Collins teach her kid?| A．Never give up. |
| B．Be confident and humble. |
| C．Helping others is important and great. |
| D．Build what you want with your own hands. |
| A．Sara Doorley Tijeras. | B．Janet Brandes Collins. |
| C．Klari Frederick Linden. | D．Joe Hocking Highland Park. |
| A．A teacher. | B．A musician. |
| C．An athlete. | D．A software developer. |
