The Tiger Mom

Calling all parents! If you are an avid reader of parenting books, magazines, blogs and/or newsletters...you may have heard of the Tiger mom. At first, I thought it was about Tiger Woods, so I really didn't pay attention to all the hype at first. But as I saw more and more posts online, and news articles discussing the so-called "Tiger Mom" I thought I better take a look...here are several articles I found on the web discussing Amy Chau and her debatable parenting style:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_Hymn_of_the_Tiger_Mother

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/family-and-relationships/confessions-of-a-tiger-mom-why-chinese-parenting-is-best/article1864813/
http://www.nwitimes.com/lifestyles/columnists/carrie-steinweg/article_b9bab9d7-f250-56ff-ac8a-d4b8c8c0ec48.html

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2011/2/25/parents-parenting-children-chinese/

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2043313,00.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704111504576059713528698754.html

http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/18/tiger-mom-amy-chau-daughter-defense/

So, what do you think? What are your thoughts? Here are some of the things she did not allow her to children to do: attend a sleepover, have a play date, be in a school play, complain about not being in a school play, watch TV or play computer games, choose their own extracurricular activities, get any grade less than an A, not be the No. 1 student in every subject except gym and drama, play any instrument other than the piano or violin, not play the piano or violin.

I know every parent has their own style or way they raise their children, but I am just not so sure about not allowing my girls to go to a sleepover (when they are much older), playing with other children, not watching television (which helps my girls learn, sing, dance and more!), and choosing their own extracurricular activities (my girls will choose what they want to do - sports, play an instrument, sing, dance, or whatever they want)...I know I wish I would have been done something in elementary or younger....I never played sports (which is probably why I don't like them or understand them), I never did dance or gymnastics..and never really had a chance to make friends outside of school (which all of them were the same as me - no extracurricular stuff).

I want my girls to grow up happy knowing that they could choose what they want to do, watch on television (for the most part), play with friends, and more..I want them to get involved with their community, donate their time, and give to others. I want them to be creative, loving, caring individuals...

I will never call my children fat, or unworthy - or be upset if they make anything else but an A grade on something. My children will do their best and that's all that matters.