Sixty Атеrican teens have put together an honest list of what, as they think, their parents should or shouldn't do. Here are just a few of their tips.
• Let us have our privacy unless we give you the right to invade it.
• Respect our feelings. Of course, sometimes we will disagree with each other, so show us your point of view and let us show you ours. If our opinion is absolutely wrong in your eyes, tell us why in a polite way. If you respect us, we will respect you.
• Give us freedom to make some mistakes. Of course, you don't want us to make the same stupid mistakes that you made, but sometimes we need to. We learn well from our mistakes, believe us.
• We love to please you, and your opinion is important to us. When you see us doing some-thing good, please praise us,
• Don't take out bad moods on us. We all have bad days, but try not to take yours out on us. When you have a bad day, tell us, and we will leave you alone but we can't read your mind!
• Don't bribe us. We really hate to tell you this secret, but bribing us doesn't work. We love getting money and other things from you, but this portrays you as a softy.
• We hate it when you tell our secrets to other people. When we tell you a secret and then hear you repeating it to your best friend, we lose our trust in you. If tell you something for your ears only, then keep it there!
• Don't compare us to our brothers and sisters. You make us feel stupid and - which is more important - you make us feel left out,
• Never, but never give us the silent treatment!
• Have fun with us. Don't be afraid to take us places and have good times with us We will all remember our childhood days forever, so help us make them unforgettable.
• Most of all, remember that we love you and want to be your friend.
tip совет
privacy [΄privәsi] личная, частная жизнь
to invide [in ΄veid] вмешательство
to respect [ri ΄spect] уважать
point of view [vju:] точка зрения
in a polite way вежливо
opinion [ә ΄pinjen] мнение
to praise [preiz] хвалить
to take out bad moods on вымещать свое плохое настроение
to leave alone оставить в покое
to bribe [braib] давать взятку, подкупать
softy [ ΄sәfti] слабый, бесхарактерный, человек-тряпка
trust [trΛst] доверие
to feel left out чувствовать себя изолированным, никому не нужным
never, but never никогда-никогда
to give the silent treatment [tri:tmәnt] не разговаривать с кем-либо
3.1. Answer the questions:
1. Do you agree with all these tips?
- Does bribing exist in your family?
- Do you want to have freedom to make your own mistakes?
- Are you in friendly terms with your parents?
- Do your parents always listen to you?
- Do you take out your bad mood on your brothers or sisters?
- What other tips for parents would you like to add?
- Do you have any differences with American teens according to this problem matter?