When Amy Chua wrote the book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, about her super-strict parenting methods, often practiced by mothers of Chinese heritage, people were divided. Supporters pointed to the success of Chinese-American children, who often excel in school, the arts, and in careers. Others felt her methods were over-the-top, even cruel at times. So, it’s interesting to hear from Kim Wong Keltner, daughter of a Tiger Mother, and author of Tiger Babies Strike Back: How I Was Raised by a Tiger Mom but Could Not Be Turned to the Dark Side.
Keltner feels she was emotionally damaged by her mother’s parenting methods. She yearned for her mother’s affection and support, and was usually denied both. Her mother frequently cited the successes of other Chinese-American children, while downplaying her daughter’s achievements. Keltner spent her life trying to please her parents, but rarely did so. And now that she is an adult, married to a man of Norwegian-German descent, she is determined not to be a Tiger Mother to her daughter.
Keltner’s book also explores what it’s like to be Chinese-American today. She wants her peers to know that it’s okay to be “okay,” not the top-of-the-class or the richest or the smartest. She advises Tiger Babies to learn to please themselves because they’ll probably never please their parents. And she encourages them not to tamp down their feelings, as Chinese children are often taught to do. Keltner has issued a battle call for an end to Tiger Parenting. While she understands that Chinese parents often feel it’s their job to push their kids toward success, she feels there are more negative than positive consequences to this type of strict parenting. Tiger Babies Strike Back is an eye-opening memoir about the scars that can be inflicted by a Tiger Mother.
Author’s Website: www.kimwongkeltner.com/Follow the Tour for Tiger Babies Strike Back!
Here's the tour schedule:
Tuesday, April 30th: Book Dilettante
Wednesday, May 1st: Susan Heim on Parenting
Monday, May 6th: Dreaming in Books
Wednesday, May 8th: guiltless reading
Monday, May 13th: Book Club Classics!
Wednesday, May 15th: Book Hooked Blog
Thursday, May 16th: Peaceful Parenting
Monday, May 20th: Family Volley
Wednesday, May 22nd: Overstuffed
Monday, May 27th: Bloggin’ ’Bout Books
Wednesday, May 29th: Suko’s Notebook
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