Level6 Unit3 Part2 Dialogue Raising Kids

——You know, my husband and I are having a terrific fight over how to raise our son.

terrific

英 [təˈrɪfɪk]  美 [təˈrɪfɪk] 

adj.了不起的;极好的;异乎寻常的;很大的

——What about?

——He's only four years old.

——My husband thinks I'm putting too much pressure on him.

        He thinks it's the wrong thing to do.

——I wouldn't know.  I'm not even married yet. That's  my problem.

       I wish I had a husband to disagree with. Ha!

——Well, he thinks it's important for kids to have time to be bored.

——Bored?

——Yes, he really said that. Can you believe it?

——Why does he think so?

        Did he have time to be bored when he was a boy?

——Well, he grew up in a countryside.

        He said he had to find things for himself to do.

        He says he feels sorry for kids these days because their days are so structured.

structured

英 ['strʌktʃəd]  美 ['strʌktʃəd] 

adj.有结构的

v.组织( structure的过去式和过去分词 );安排;制定

——Hmm, I see his point.

        But things have changed a lot since he was a boy.

——That's exactly what I told him.

        Then he started getting angry.

 ——That doesn't sound like him.

        He's usually so calm and reserved.

reserved

英 [rɪˈzɜ:vd]  美 [rɪˈzɜ:rvd] 

adj.预订的;矜持的;储藏着的

v.保留[储备]某物( reserve的过去式)

         In fact, I can't ever remember hearing him express an opinion.

——Well, the other day, our boy said he didn't like one of his teachers.

        That's his English teacher.

        And that got my husband's attention.

——What happened?

——He got angry and said he wasn't happy with all the emphasis on English and math.

emphasis on

英 [ˈemfəsis ɔn]  美 [ˈɛmfəsɪs ɑn] 

强调

He said I should find some place for our boy to do more of what he wants to do.

He said he'd find a class or teacher who encourages kids to explore things.

——That sounds a bit idealistic.

idealistic

英 [ˌaɪdiəˈlɪstɪk]  美 [aɪˌdiəˈlɪstɪk] 

adj.理想主义的;唯心主义的;空想家的;唯心论的

——That's what I told him.

        Then he said it's important to learn how to be independent and not always depend on being told what to do.

        He said that can develop creativity and the love of learning.

——Certainly.

        But, what happens when he's behind all the other kids in school.

——Won't he be discouraged?

——He said to let the boy deal with it and see what happens.

        Some people are competitive and some aren't.

——Anyway it's an interesting point of view.

        It may work for some kids and not for others.

        What about your boy?

        What do you think?

——He has a good imagination.

        Sometimes he talks oneself and he really likes music and dancing.

        He has a lot of energy.

        Sometimes it's exhausting to be around him.

——I guess if I were you, I just gave him a lot of choices and see what he is interested taking in.

       And he needs a place where he can use all that energy.

——Yes, that's what my husband wants to do.

       I just get nervous because all his friends are taking classes.

       I don't want him to fall behind.

——  I don't know what to say. Maybe you can do some research and see what others advise.

       I'm sure you are not the only one facing this problem.

      At least your husband is taking an interest.

      If I ever get married, I hope my husband will be as involved as yours is.

      But he has to help you with this and not just complain.

——Yes, that's what we're fighting about.

        I can't be expected to do this on my own.

       We have to do this together.

——Good luck.  And wish me luck in finding a husband, ok?