Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother Book Review

I have to tell you with all the hype and strong opinions I had heard about this book, I was a little Leary about picking this one up. I was not sure that this was a light enjoyable read that was suited for summer reading. However this book charmed me. Amy Chua was an honest author who wrote about her experience raising her two daughters. Amy Chua went in to great detail to explain how she thought about her children's education, chores, musical talent. I loved that she did not just give her opinion but she explained how her opinions were shaped, and how they differ from commonly held parental view points here in the United States.

I respect her as a parent. As a mother who loves her children and really wants the very best for her children. I loved how she addressed work ethics, towards achieving ones goal. Amy explained "What Chinese parents understand is that nothing is fun until you're good at it. To get good at anything, you have to work, and children on their own never want to work." I am not sure that I always agree with her that achieving to be the very, very best at something will bring my kids happiness or some of the extreme measures she took. However I do believe that to achieve anything takes work. I believe that our society as a whole, has lowered the "expectation" bar that we ask our children to meet, or exceed. I see this with "helicopter moms" hoovering around their children often feel that the school or teacher is to blame if their child does not make a good grades. Instead of thinking that their child should have to work harder to make better grades.

I loved how she explained the difference with Chinese parents not worrying at all about their children's self esteem, and we know that Western parents worry about this concern way too much! After all look at parenting magazines, and the titles of some of the articles each month, if you think our culture does not focus on this subject.

I really enjoyed this book. The author does not hide from areas that she struggled with in parenting her daughters. Amy openly admits criticism that her parents, and children have vocalized to her. However she also fights, to prove to the reader that her view point though not a common view point here in America does have validity. This book I would recommend to any parent even if you agree or disagree with the author, I can say this-The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother will definitely get you thinking about your parenting style, and philosophy.