My husband and I insisted that our children were old enough to clean their rooms and make their
beds. But they thought 21 . My complaints, even self-justified shouting, were always landing on 22_  
ears.  Very often a whole hour's scolding would end with their   23   into tears, I felt very frustrated
(沮丧的).I realized I needed to   24   my method of "mothering".
    One day when they were at school, I spent some time 25 their rooms. On their desks, in plain  _26  ,
I left the cards: "网 Bill (the other card was   27   to Sarah), your room was messy this morning
and I'm sure you like it clean. Love, the Room Fairy."   28   arriving back, the children were   __29  
excited to receive the little note from the Room Fairy. The next day, their rooms were fairly tidy. Sure
enough, there was another note from the Room Fairy ___30   for them, thanking them for their nice "gift"
of a clean room and   31   asking them to play a certain violin   32  . Each day, thank--you notes would
be written differently to keep the ideas   33  .
    Sometimes the Room Fairy would propose a little   34  : "If you can finish your homework and   __35  
your lessons before dinner, I' d like to watch a particular television program with you tonight." Sometimes
some colored markers or other little items would be left in   36 of  well done jobs the day   ___37  .
       38   I can't remember how long "the Room Fairy" continued leaving her love notes. When they were
age appropriate, we used various versions of Post-Its(贴条). The bathroom mirror became the   39  
centre of our home. Appointments, notices about visiting relatives, lesson schedules, and changes in plans
could be posted.
    We all benefited from and   40  the idea of sharing reminders and daily details of life through notes. I
believe the true advantage of the Room Fairy notes survives in our frequent and enjoyable communication.