Almost all children expect their parents to give them more pocket money. But most of the time, their parents just give them a certain amount (数量). And the amount of money that children get from their parents is different from family to family. The frequency (频率) of getting money is different, too. Some children get pocket money every month. Do you know why?

First of all, parents expect children to choose between the spending and the saving. Then children should understand what their parents expect them to buy with their pocket money. Usually, some children spend all of the money soon after they get it. Experts usually advise parents not to offer more money until it is the right time. By doing this, children will learn to spend money well.

In order to encourage children to do the housework, some parents pay children for doing that. However, some experts don’t agree because helping at home is a normal part of family life.

Pocket money can give children a chance to experience three things. They can spend it by giving it to a good course. They can spend by buying things they want. They can save it for future use. Saving money helps children understand that money never comes easily. Saving money can also open the door to a better future for children.

It was Day 1 of our vacation on Cortes, a beautiful quiet island. “iPhone, iPhone, iPhone,” my son kept moaning(呻吟). In front of him was a big window of facing the blue ocean. And a cool gentle wind was coming in from the door. Clearly, he saw and felt none of it.

Back at home, I’d soon give up and hand the phone over to him after five minutes of listening to this kind of moaning.

But not here. Before we left, I had told my 10-year-old son the rule—no e-mails, no Facebook, no video games, and no iPhone. We came here to get away from them all. Here we were on our first day and already, he couldn’t stand it.

____ I walked down the grass road to the beach and looked out to the sea. My 6-year-old daughter and my husband were drawing on pieces of wood. They were doing just fine.

On Day 2, we spent the whole morning digging for shells(贝壳). This time, my son joined us. He collected shellfish and other sea treasures. When we got back to our little wood house. I gave my son a book, and put him on the lovely garden chair. It was almost dinner when he looked up.

The next few days passed in peace.

On Day 6, my son was lying beside me on the beach, watching the sun going down. He was playing with the sand. And there was something shining in his eyes. I realized how time slowed down for both of us. It was exactly what I wanted. Finally, we were able to sit quietly without thinking about screens, phone calls and e-mails.

Parents may be surprised at how fast their kids grow up, but a study finds that U.S. teenagers are developing more slowly than those in the past.

Scientists at San Diego State University have worked on a study of over 8 million U.S. kids aged 13-19 for 40 years. The findings show that today’s teenagers are less responsible (负责任的) and that most of them don’t have a part-time job. “The whole development has slowed down. Today’s 18-year-olds are more like 15-year-olds in the past,” said Professor Jean Twenge. “Teenagers are taking fewer risk than those in the past.”

Scientists have also found that more teenagers spend longer time living with their parents instead of renting (租) their own room or apartment. So is that slower development “good” or “bad”? It may depend on how you look at it, the scientists said. “The upside of slower development is that teenagers aren’t growing up before they are ready,” said Professor Twenge. “But the downside is that they go to college and into the workplace without as much experience with independence.” Today’s students may be smart and creative, but they often have trouble with planning, time management (管理) and problem-solving, added Professor Twenge.

One of the reasons for these changes is that today’s teenagers would like to spend much time online. They keep on watching videos or playing games on the Internet instead of spending more time with their family and friends in person. Another one is that parents have become much more child-centric. In fact, parents had better let their children do everything by themselves. They should try their best to make their children become independent as soon as possible.

I lived in Missouri, near a river called the Jacks Fork. Before I was born, my grandparents decided to help _______ the river clean. So, they started a _______ called Stream Team 713. I like its another _______ better–the Jacks Fork River Rats. The club makes sure the water is clean and _______ for fish and people. And now I’m old enough to help _______ the river.

Picking up _______ is like a treasure hunt (寻宝). My friends and I find plastic bags, _______ bottles and cans, paper and other things. But there used to be _______ more trash here. One weekend my grandparents picked up six tons of trash. That was as _______ as an elephant.

The trash is ________ for the river or the animals and plants that live there. So the Jacks Fork River Rats asks people who are relaxing on the river to ________ trash with them instead of throwing it into the river.

My favorite thing is to ________ water bugs! The bugs like to stay at the bottom of the river. Some bugs don’t care ________ dirty the water is, but some bugs can only live there if the water is clean. ________ we find lots of bugs that need clean water, we will know the river is clean enough for fish and people.

We ________ taking care of the river. We help make sure it’s clean and safe place.

I’m so excited. Guess what—it’s my Dad’s     36     (forty) birthday next month.

So he’s taking     37     (we) all to London for a weekend! Cool, eh?

We’re flying over on Thursday evening. As soon as we arrive, we’re going on a tour of the city. They say London is     38     (real) beautiful at night, and I’m really looking forward to seeing all those famous places.

On Friday we’re going to the Tate Modern (the art gallery near the river Thames), then to the Design Museum. It’s not far from our hotel, so we’re     39     (plan) to walk there. In the afternoon, we’re going on the London Eye. In fact, the London Eye is so tall     40     we can see it from all directions during our trip! I can’t wait     41     (see) the Houses of Parliament from up there!

Saturday is for shopping—there’s no doubt about that! We’re going to Portobello Road     42     (one). Then in the afternoon, we’re visiting Harrods—     43     (famous) shop in London! Dad’s not very happy about it,     44     I’m sure he’ll enjoy it when we’re there.

On Sunday morning, we’re going to Hyde Park, and we’re flying home in the afternoon. It’s one of my     45     (dream)—and it’s happening!

Hope everything’s OK with you.

Love,

Cynthia