Thirty years ago I was studying in a college in Liverpool which was hundreds of miles from home, but I had a nice place to live and plenty of money in my pocket.

One Saturday morning I decided to walk into Liverpool city centre and buy myself something. I didn't need anything, and I was just going to spend some money!

I stepped into a store to buy myself some sweets. While I was there the door opened and in walked this little girl. She looked older than her age. She was wearing a summer dress even though it was a bitterly cold day.

She walked up to the counter, and placed a fifth pence coin on the glass. Then, she proudly announced, she had saved this up for her little brother's birthday and she wanted to buy him a teddy bear (玩具熊).The woman behind the counter told the little girl the teddy cost was more than 50 pence.

I knew that none of the bears on display could be bought for 50 pence. I also knew that I could easily buy the best bear there with the money I was going to waste that day-but did I want to encourage a little girl to take money from strangers?

While I watched the little girl turned. “Oh well,” she announced to the world, “I'll just give him mine then.”

I didn't forget her words “I'll just give him mine.” She was going to give her litte brother her teddy, probably the only teddy she had!

If I meet with this kind of little girl today, I will help her with all that I have. “I'll just give him mine.” Perfect words! I will remember the words forever. Days like that can change the course of a life.

Relationships between parents and their kids can be incredibly meaningful when worked on intentionally.【小题1】What can parents and children do to improve their relationships?

First, take responsibility. Both parents and children are responsible for shaping, maintaining and managing the relationship.【小题2】When a child or parent simply waits for the other party to put more into the relationship, problems emerge.

Then set boundaries.【小题3】So parents must decide what sort of access children have to information and what level of support they are willing to provide. Children too, must decide what level of privacy and involvement they seek and accept from parents.

【小题4】Unhealthy conflict styles like silent treatments, screaming fights, and ignoring issues have a negative influence on the relationship. Stop doing those and start to think about how you might respond differently. Make an effort and work together to figure out why familiar arguments keep happening. This way, a possible solution can be found.

As is often the case, it is much easier to keep the situation as it is, even if it leads to frustration. Change is always the harder choice.【小题5】