I’m sure many of you have heard of Amy Chua…no? What about the online Wall Street Journal article “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior”? Now maybe that rings a bell or piqued your interest. The piece is an excerpt from her new book, “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” and it’s pretty controversial regarding her opinions on child rearing. I can see why people are getting all riled up as raising children (I have no experience) is a touchy subject and everyone’s experience will be different. Mostly, no one likes to be told you’re raising your kid wrong.
That being said I read the article last week, heard the NPR interview this morning, and thought that maybe everyone should just chill out a bit. Sure in the WSJ piece she sounded pretty rough, but parts of the article did strike chords that resonated with my own experience growing up. I don’t know why Asian parents love string instruments so much (I played violin primarily). In the NPR interview one of the callers mentioned he was locked in the bathroom until he could get his times tables in Chinese right. Me too! Except I was in the backyard (it was during the day). Anyways I digress, hearing all the criticism heaped on Amy Chua just made me think of my parents (especially my mom), and how I wouldn’t think it fair to judge how they raised me (even though I judged them at the time…”I’ll never do that to my kids”…classic). And while I can say that I’m glad I won some battles with them, I wish I had lost some of the others. Overall, I look back and am amazed by how they raised the 3 of us the way they did with what they had.
So to my parents: Thanks for all you’ve done. I think you did a pretty good job if I don’t say so myself =Þ You guys always said I’d understand when I was older, and you were right (mostly).
Mom, I know you’re on the Facebook now and can see my status and as such will probably probe into this page. So here’s a special thanks to you for believing in me and pushing me to always be at my best. One more note Mom, Vibrams can be used for running so stop worrying.