2007年高考英语全国卷1 - 阅读理解C

Our "Mommy and Me" time began two years ago. My next-door neighbor and fellow mother, Christie, and I were out in our front yards, watching seven children of age 6 and under ride their bikes up and down. "I wish I could take one of my children out alone," said Christie.
我们的“妈妈和我”时间是从两年前开始的。我和隔壁邻居兼同事，当妈妈的母亲克里斯蒂一起在我们的前院里，看着七个6岁以下的孩子骑着自行车来来回回。“我希望只带一个孩子出去，”克里斯蒂说。

Then we worked out a plan: When Christie takes one of her children out, I'll watch her other three. And when she watches two of mine, I'll take someone out.
然后我们制定了一个计划：当克里斯蒂带着她的一个孩子出去时，我会看着她的另外三个孩子，当我带孩子外出时，她看着我的两个孩子。

The children were extremely quick to accept the idea of "Mommy and Me" time. Christie's daughter, McKenzie, went first. When she returned, the other children showered her with tons of questions. McKenzie was smiling broadly. Christie looked refreshed and happy. "She's like a different child when there's no one else around," Christie shared with me quickly. With her mother all to herself, McKenzie didn't have to make an effort to gain attention.
孩子们很快就接受了“妈妈和我”的想法，克里斯蒂的女儿麦肯齐是第一个。当她回来时，其他孩子向她提出了一大堆问题。麦肯齐满面笑容，克里斯蒂看上去神清气爽，很开心。克里斯蒂很快和我分享：“周围没有其他人时，她就像换了一个人”。由于她的妈妈眼里只有她，麦肯齐不必刻意来引起注意。

Just as Christie had noticed changes in McKenzie, I also discovered something different in each of my children during our alone times. For example, I am always surprised when my daughter, who is seldom close to me, holds my hand frequently. My stuttering son, Tom, doesn't stutter once during our activities since he doesn't have to struggle for a chance to speak. And the other son, Sam, who's always a follower when around other children, shines as a leader during our times together.
正如克里斯蒂注意到麦肯齐的变化一样，我也发现在我们独处的时候，我的每个孩子身上的不同之处。例如，当很少和我亲密的女儿频繁握着我的手时，我总是感到惊讶。我口吃的儿子汤姆在我们的活动中从不结巴，因为他不必努力获取发言的机会。而另一个儿子萨姆，当和其他孩子在一起时，他总是一个跟随者，当和我在一起时，他成了一位杰出的领导者。

The "Mommy and Me" time allows us to be simply alone and away with each child ---talking, sharing, and laughing, which has been the biggest gain. Every child deserves to be an only child at least once in a while.
“妈妈和我”的时间让我们可以单独和每个孩子在一起——交谈、分享、开怀大笑，这是最大的收获。每个孩子都应该至少偶尔做一次独生子女。