Nowadays parents and their children are spending less and less time communicating with each other.【小题1】.It is reported that American parents today spend about 40 percent less time with their children than parents did a generation ago.To keep your family time creative and enjoyable, below is a list of helpful family time tips.

Eat together & listen to each other

Most children today don't know the meaning of the family dinner time.Yet the communication and unity built during this time are necessary to a healthy family life.Sharing a meal together allows parents and their children to talk about each other's lives.【小题2】.

Read often

It's important for parents to read to their children.The latest research shows that reading to your children can help your children develop an interest in knowledge and contribute to language development.It also increases their concentration on things and helps them become more curious.【小题3】.After reading, ask questions about what the books are about.

Start a hobby or project

Choose a fun activity that your children are interested in.Activities like cooking, fishing or biking can be their great hobbies.【小题4】.Once a child learns a new skill, let him or her take the lead under your direction.

Plan a family outing

【小题5】.Jump into the family car and go for a drive.Prepare a picnic lunch and visit a local park.Take time to play or ride a bike.A slow and relaxing walk in the woods will help parents communicate with their children better.Also, a visit to the zoo or museum will inspire the enthusiasm of a child and lead to long discussions.

In 2014 my best friend's mother died of cancer. It was a tragedy, but as usual, Alice, my mother, used her power of healing and got his family back on their feet. If you asked my friends about my mother, they would say, “That woman has a heart of gold.” I agree one hundred percent.

About six years ago my mum decided to pursue her lifelong goal of becoming a teacher. She knew it would be hard work raising three kids, doing housework and studying at the same time. However, she believed it would pay off. What my mother didn't realize was that not all things pay off in this world. After four hard years of school, she graduated on a warm spring day. It was unbelievable. My aunt drove up from Virginia to celebrate this fantastic day. It was the first time I had ever cried from being happy.

It's strange how fast a life can change. Two months later, the unpredictable happened. My mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (多发性硬化症). I could not believe this could happen after all the good she had done for people. I was very confused and cried every day. My faith in God just disappeared and so did my mum's dream of becoming a teacher.

Then, I decided I must move on with my life and accept the fact that she might never get better. Since my decision was made, I have become more mature, responsible and active in school and work. I have found a wonderful girlfriend with whom I plan to spend the rest of my life. Through the years I have always been able to change negative situations into positive ones. I'm happy with my life now.

When I was growing up, I was embarrassed to be seen with my father. He was severely lame and very short, and when we would walk together, his hand on my arm for balance, people would stare. I would feel ashamed at the unwanted attention. If he ever noticed or was bothered, he never let on, nor did he say anything about it.

It was difficult to coordinate (协调) our steps — his pausing, my impatience — and because of that, we didn’t say much as we went along. But as we started out, he always said, “You set the pace, I will try to adjust to you.”

Our usual walk was to or from the subway, which was how he got to work. He went to work sick, and despite bad weather. He almost never missed a day, and would make it to the office even if others could not. A matter of pride.

When snow or ice was on the ground, it was impossible for him to walk, even with help. At such times my sisters or I would pull him through the streets of Brooklyn, NY, on a child’s sleigh to the subway entrance. Once there, he would grasp the handrail until he reached the lower steps that the warmer tunnel air kept ice-free. In Manhattan the subway station was the basement of his office building, and he would not have to go outside until we met him in Brooklyn on his way home.

When I think of it now, I wondered at how much courage it must have taken for a grown man to subject himself to such indignity and stress. And at how he did it — without bitterness or complaint.

He never talked about himself as an object of pity, nor did he show any envy of the more fortunate or able. What he looked for in others was a “good heart”, and if he found one, the owner was good enough for him.

Now that I am older, I believe that is a proper standard by which to judge people, even though I still don’t know precisely what a “good heart” is. But I know the times I don’t have one myself.

My father has been gone many years now, but I think of him often. I wonder if he sensed my unwillingness to be seen with him during our walks. If he did, I am sorry I never told him how sorry I was, how unworthy I was, how I regretted it. I think of him when I complain about incident, when I am envious of another’s good fortune, when I don’t have a “good heart”.

At such times I put my hand on his arm to regain my balance, and say, “You set the pace, I will try to adjust to you.”