It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since I wrote this post!  Do you remember all the talk surrounding the “Tiger Mother?”  Amy Chua was national news this time last year because of the book she wrote.  You can read the post about it below. 

She is in my thoughts again because she is coming to the St. Louis library next week to talk about her book.  Should I go? 

Raising three kids and running FindTheBestNanny.com takes up the majority of my time.  I admit that sometimes days go by and I don’t watch the news or pick up a paper.  When I first heard moms and dads talking about the “Chinese Way” of parenting I didn’t know what they were talking about.  A quick Google search changed that!

Amy Chua has authored a book titled, “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.”  The title refers to Chinese astrology and how Chua was born the year of the Tiger.

Chua believes that children should be raised with high expectations coupled with love.   The “Tiger Mother” method is driven by the belief that kids are capable of more than they think and parents need to help their children be the best they can be.

The methods she uses to back up her beliefs have gotten a lot of parents talking.  For example, children should not have sleepovers, play dates, watch TV, or play computer games.  Her children practiced piano and violin after school.   

Here is an example of high expectations.  One of Chua’s daughters made her a card.   Chua rejected the card because it was too plain and told her daughter she can do better. 

Chua has explained in an interview that the book is about her parenting style and not about how to parent.  And at times she does make fun of herself in the book. 

What do you think?  Is the Chinese Way “better at promoting self-esteem and ultimately happiness than the coddling Western approach for some kids?”