时差N小时 父母反对子女旅游计划

Dear Annie:

亲爱的安妮：

I am in my early 30s with a small child. I recently went through some hard times and moved back home with my parents. I have never asked my parents for money. I work two jobs and have put a little away in savings¹. I'd like to take a small vacation. The only major expense would be the airfare, and I have enough for that.

我三十出头，孩子还很小。最近我的生活过得有些艰难，于是我就搬回家与父母同住。我从来不向父母伸手要钱。我有两份工作，也有少量积蓄。我想去度个小假，唯一最贵的消费就是飞机票，但我已经存够钱了。

My parents are completely against the trip. They feel I would not be able to afford the airfare if they hadn't been helping² me for the last few months. I agree, but on the other hand, I need a little time with friends to relax and just have a good time. I'm an adult. Can my parents still treat me as a child?—Tired in Omaha

我的父母极力反对我去旅行。他们认为如果不是他们前几个月的资助，我是无法支付机票钱的。我承认，但另一方面，我需要一些时间跟朋友去放松一下，尽情地玩一回。我是个成年人了。我父母还能把我当作孩子吗？——奥马哈一个疲惫不堪的人

Dear Tired:

亲爱的疲惫不堪的人：

When adult children live at home, parents are prone³ to treat them as children. Your parents want you to save enough to have your own place and need to know their efforts to help you are not being frittered away on less-than-necessary things. They also may not want to baby-sit for your child while you are away, in which case you should make other arrangements. Thank your parents for their concern and say you need a break from your two-job routine so you can come back refreshed and productive.

当一个成年人住在家里时，父母总是会把他们当成孩子一样对待。你父母希望你攒够钱有自己的住处，他们不愿意看到自己对你的帮助被浪费在不那么重要的事情上。也许他们不愿在你外出时帮你照顾小孩，如果是这样的话，你应该另作打算。你应该感谢父母对你的关心，告诉他们你需要从繁忙的工作日程中抽点时间休息，这样你回来后才会精神振作，效率更高。

1 savings   

n.存款，储蓄

参考例句：

• I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
• By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。

2 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

3 prone   

adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的

参考例句：

• Some people are prone to jump to hasty conclusions.有些人往往作出轻率的结论。
• He is prone to lose his temper when people disagree with him.人家一不同意他的意见,他就发脾气。