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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
I was born the same year as the author’s eldest daughter. We started piano at the same age and competitions at around the same time, so I identify pretty deeply with her. Constantly, the people I lost to at competitions were dedicated individuals like Sophia. At the time, it really irked me, but I also didn’t practice nearly as much as these girls. Reading this book provided heaps of perspective, and provided some helpful insight into the world of multicultural parenting. I don’t love piano enough to make it a career, and after reading this, I’m deeply grateful my parents let me have a fairly normal childhood.
I have to admit in many ways I was a "Chinese Mother." It certainly wasn't due to any ethnic link to China, since I was born in Cuba. I think, perhaps, much of what Amy Chua describes in her method of parenting can also reflect the culture of immigrant families in general. I know my parents stressed education as the door to success in America. I also took on the responsibility for overseeing music lessons, tennis practices, Bar and Bat Mitzvah training and the constant hammering about homework. I was the bad guy most of the time. How did it turn out for the kids? Pretty well, actually. Did I question my methods, like Amy does in this book? Constantly. I give high marks to books that I often refer back to as I am conversing with my family and friends. You may not agree with her methods, but this book was interesting and thought provoking. Periodically, we need an Amy Chua to point out our flaws and out strengths.
I both LOVED and HATED this book. It's a very quick, easy, first-person point of view read. (I finished within 24 hours, not setting aside any of my daily responsibilities or regular sleep.) It was an interesting, way skewed analysis of parenting styles. And (while I realize this says a lot about my own childhood and self esteem) I hate how it made me doubt my own parenting skills. Great book for a book discussion club of mums, horrible book to use for self-analysis.
My feelings about this book are complex. I first read it before I had kids. Now that I have children, I understand better the struggle the author faces, but I also found it harder to read. I guess it really comes down to the question: Success at what cost?
This was the book that started the kerfluffle about parenting in the middle of 2011. It was an interesting read, and contrary to how The Washington Post made the excerpts sound, it wasn't really a stinging condemnation of Western parenting styles. It was more about her own journey as a parent, and exploring the toll her "Tiger Mother" parenting approach took on herself and her children. It's an easy read, and one I think it worth reading if you're interested in the issues she raises.
Picked up this book from the library strictly because of the hype and because I'm on a memoir kick. Chua makes a ton of generalizations and occasionally hedges her bets by qualifying them..but I think this book was written too quickly for a woman of her obvious intelligence (exemplified not by this book but by her previous books and background as a law professor). Her husband seems to be a solid voice of reason. She should claim this to be a memoir, not just a preachy guide to how to raise genius children--just bc some of Chua's friends asked her " how did you do it" that doesn't qualify you to write about childrearing. Especially because she never seems to acknowledge the exceptional situation she raised her children within--her and her husband are quite wealthy. It's a little easier to get your children to excel when you have the means. I wish she acknowledged that...all in all I understand that you gotta sell your book and sensationalism helps.
I have been eyeing this bad boy since I had a job interview at my current job a year ago. I finally decided to read it.
I feel like I have a bit of Tiger Mom in me: demanding my children do things, withholding things until they do them, frequently pushing them to do their best, etc. I am NOT a Tiger Mom: Amy Chua was.
So on one hand, this book affirmed and helped to bolster the bit of me that is a Tiger Mom (in a great way!). On the other, my heart broke for her children. I get where she is coming from but there's got to be a better way (and I felt she kind of found that at the end). The constant yelling couldn't have been good for anyone but I understand her need to never give up and push her children to the best.
I felt like she did an excellent job approaching a very complicated topic. I could have finished this book in a day, given the short chapters and extremely interesting subject matter and writing style.
She is right: I am too lazy to push my children to 90 minutes of practice every day. My children will never play at Carnegie Hall and may be "average" their whole lives. I especially marvel at all those that are at the top of the game (we see it twice a week at UT's School of Music) but it's not something I would want for myself or my children. I'm o.k. with that and I'm also o.k. to tap into my inner Tiger Mom every once in a while :)
I feel like I have a bit of Tiger Mom in me: demanding my children do things, withholding things until they do them, frequently pushing them to do their best, etc. I am NOT a Tiger Mom: Amy Chua was.
So on one hand, this book affirmed and helped to bolster the bit of me that is a Tiger Mom (in a great way!). On the other, my heart broke for her children. I get where she is coming from but there's got to be a better way (and I felt she kind of found that at the end). The constant yelling couldn't have been good for anyone but I understand her need to never give up and push her children to the best.
I felt like she did an excellent job approaching a very complicated topic. I could have finished this book in a day, given the short chapters and extremely interesting subject matter and writing style.
She is right: I am too lazy to push my children to 90 minutes of practice every day. My children will never play at Carnegie Hall and may be "average" their whole lives. I especially marvel at all those that are at the top of the game (we see it twice a week at UT's School of Music) but it's not something I would want for myself or my children. I'm o.k. with that and I'm also o.k. to tap into my inner Tiger Mom every once in a while :)
Normally I don't read this kind of book. It's about moms and kids, different cultures and how they raise children, the prejudice of society that doesn't understand. If you just told me about this book I would dismiss it right off. But the book got REALLY good reviews (and I got it free from work) so I thought; why not.
And go figure, I actually liked it. It wasn't at all what I imagined, it was so personal and well argumented that I nearly couldn't stop reading.
My mom never made me do or learn anything. I did sports because I wanted to, and when I wanted to. Mrs. Chua's kids didn't. They were forced and was hugely successfull. I don't agree with the way she forced her kids, but I get it. And I'm actually a bit bummed that my mom never made me learn how to play an instrument or just pushed me to be better, more disciplined.
So even if you don't have kids, read the book. You'll get a new perspective on yourself and the way you work. It's a good read.
And go figure, I actually liked it. It wasn't at all what I imagined, it was so personal and well argumented that I nearly couldn't stop reading.
My mom never made me do or learn anything. I did sports because I wanted to, and when I wanted to. Mrs. Chua's kids didn't. They were forced and was hugely successfull. I don't agree with the way she forced her kids, but I get it. And I'm actually a bit bummed that my mom never made me learn how to play an instrument or just pushed me to be better, more disciplined.
So even if you don't have kids, read the book. You'll get a new perspective on yourself and the way you work. It's a good read.
I gave this book four stars not because I agree with Amy Chua's style of parenting (I am definitely not a tiger mother), but because it made me think about what kind of parent I am on the spectrum of Tiger Mother and Western Mother. And, it made me think about how I define success when it comes to my children.
I'm definitely not a tiger mother, but this was an interesting and well written book.