Could You Be a Tiger Mom?

"Can a regimen of no playdates, no TV, no computer games and hours of music practice create happy kids? And what happens when they fight back?" -WST online

Since an excerpt of Amy Chua's forthcoming book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother was published in the Wall Street Journal online, I have been sent numerous links to this piece from friends. Everyone asking the questions: Have you seen this? What do you think? The debates about her book have certainly been fierce online.

While WeeMunch is primarily a place for food, we do think these issues and questions about parenting styles are connected. The decisions we make for and with our children on all levels speak to who we are as a person, and ultimately as a parent. This week we host a special edition of WeeMunch: a response to Chua's article by Pieta Woolley, a mother of two children, and a Vancouver-based freelance writer (formerly the staff writer at the Georgia Straight).

"As someone parented with the polar opposite of what Amy Chua employs with her children, I appreciated her perspective. The WSJ excerpt reminded me of two books I heartily agree with. First, Shop Class as Soul Craft (2006), by Matt Crawford. This motorcycle mechanic/ doctor of philosophy changed my ideas about the origin of self respect; he delivers the compelling argument that esteem comes from having marketable skills. I believe this is what Chua is driving at when she barks her children into achievement. Second, Hold Onto Your Kids (2004), by Vancouver doctors Gabor Mate and Gordon Neufeld. The duo offers a manifesto on the importance of orienting kids towards their parents, rather than their peers. Again, Chua seems to embody this when she restricts her children's friend time.

As a mom, I am fairly freaked out by the shrinking middle class in Canada. Two generations ago you could raise an average kid, and expect they'd grow up, get a good job, buy a house, and retire comfortably. No longer. So I'm shamelessly seeking strategies to inveigle my kiddies to excel.

Plus, with CPP under the axe, someone needs to pay my Whole Foods bill when I retire."

-Pieta Woolley