Family and relationships

The family noticeboard

There are five of us in our house, and for years we hardly saw [1] ______ other from Monday to Friday. Mum works early shifts at the hospital, Dad teaches evening classes, and my two brothers and I all go to different after-school clubs. Last September Dad bought a large whiteboard and hung it on the kitchen wall. The rules are simple. [2] ______ gets home first starts cooking the dinner and writes the menu on the board, and everyone else adds a message before going to bed. At first my brothers only drew silly pictures, but now the board is full of news, jokes and the occasional apology. It isn't the same as talking face to face, but it has made us feel much closer.