Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

Anawe-inspiring,oftenhilarious,andunerringlyhoneststoryofonemother'sexerciseinextremeparenting,revealingtherewards-andthecosts-ofraisingherchildrentheChineseway.Alldecentparentswanttodowhat'sbestfortheirchildren.WhatBattleHymnoftheTigerMotherrevealsisthattheChinesejusthaveatotallydifferentideaofhowtodothat.Westernparentstrytorespecttheirchildren'sindividuality,encouragingthemtopursuetheirtruepassionsandprovidinganurturingenvironment.TheChinesebelievethatthebestwaytoprotectyourchildrenisbypreparingthemforthefutureandarmingthemwithskills,strongworkhabits,andinnerconfidence.BattleHymnoftheTigerMotherchroniclesChua'siron-willeddecisiontoraiseherdaughters,SophiaandLulu,herway-theChineseway-andtheremarkableresultsherchoiceinspires.HerearesomethingsAmyChuawouldneverallowherdaughterstodo:?haveaplaydate?beinaschoolplay?complainaboutnotbeinginaschoolplay?notbethe#1studentineverysubjectexceptgymanddrama?playanyinstrumentotherthanthepianoorviolin?notplaythepianoorviolinThetruthisLuluandSophiawouldneverhavehadtimeforaplaydate.Theyweretoobusypracticingtheirinstruments(twotothreehoursadayanddoublesessionsontheweekend)andperfectingtheirMandarin.Ofcoursenooneisperfect,includingChuaherself.Witnessthisscene:"AccordingtoSophia,herearethreethingsIactuallysaidtoheratthepianoasIsupervisedherpracticing:1.OhmyGod,you'rejustgettingworseandworse.2.I'mgoingtocounttothree,thenIwantmusicality.3.Ifthenexttime'snotPERFECT,I'mgoingtotakeallyourstuffedanimalsandburnthem!"ButChuademandsasmuchofherselfasshedoesofherdaughters.Andinhersacrifices-theexactingattentionspentstudyingherdaughters'performances,theofficehourslostshuttlingthegirlstolessons-thedepthofherloveforherchildrenbecomesclear.BattleHymnoftheTigerMotherisaneye-openingexplorationofthedifferencesinEasternandWesternparenting-andthelessonsparentsandchildreneverywhereteachoneanother.