Unit 2 Text B New words&text

And while kitchen sanitation is important, is it worth the sacrifice of tender feelings and relationships? I'm not saying that our children don't need to learn responsibility, or to occasionally suffer the painful consequences of their own bad choices. Those lessons are vital, and need to be carefully taught. But as parents, we must never forget that we're not just teaching lesson we're teaching children. That means there are times when we really need to see the mess in the kitchen, and times when we only need to see the cake.

Unfortunately, Cindy's mother isn't the only parent who suffers from Situational Timbercular Glaucoma -the occasional inability to see the forest for the trees. From time to time we all allow ourselves to be blinded to issues of long-term significance by stuff that seems awfully important right now, but isn't. Muddy shoes, lost lunch money and messy kitchens are troublesome, and they deserve their place among life's frustrations. But what's a little mud even on new carpet-compared to a child's self-esteem? Is a lost dollar more valuable than a youngster's emerging dignity?

"I know - it's a mess," his wife said coldly. The whole kitchen is a disaster. I can't stand to look at it" She stormed up the stairs and into her room, slamming the door shut behind her. For a few moments Cindy and her father stood silently, neither one knowing what to say At last she looked up at him, her eyes moist and red. "She never saw the cake" she said

I should make you clean this up right now, but I'm too tired to stay up with you to make sure you get it done right" her mother said. "So you'll do it first thing in the morming." "Honey," Cindy's father interjected gently, "take a look at the table."

But her mother's eyes never made it all the way to the table. "just look at this mess" she moaned. "How many times have I talked to you about cleaning up after yourself? "But Mom, I was only

Her parents tried to slip in quietly. but Cindy would have none of that She flipped on the lights dramatically and trumpeted: "Ta-daaa" She gestured grandly toward the kitchen table where a slightly off-balance two-laver chocolate cake awaited their inspection.

But Cindy wasn't thinking about the mess. She had created something, a veritable phoenix of flour and sugar rising out of the kitchen clutter. She was anxious for her parents to return home from their date so she could present her anniversary gift to them. She turned off the kitchen lights and waited excitedly in the darkness. When at last she saw the flash of the car headights, she positioned herself in the kitchen doorway. By the time she heard the key sliding into the front door, she was THIS CLOSE to exploding.

Cindy glanced navously at a clock on the kitchen wall.Five minutes before midnight.they should be home any time now.