Reading interesting articles online from different news sources really is one of my favorite things to do.
This weekend two friends sent me two different articles re parenting. I thought it was very interesting how different in opposing views the articles were.
If you haven't had a chance to read the below Wall Street Journal article I HIGHLY recommend it.
The next article that was sent to me is so polarizing opposite in opinion that it's a bit crazy.
This one is brought to us by CNN.com and is from two Harvard professors (not that it means more to me, imo. But thought I'd mention it anyway). This one is called:
So if you weren't already confused on how to parent and what is best for your child I'm sorry to add to more of the confusion! LOL. My opinion though is that us "western" parents are too soft on our kids. We are falling behind in so many different areas in schooling. It's ridiculous. YET we are also losing out on teaching our kids how to socialize with how much time they spend on the computer, texting and television. My issue is I don't want my children to not know how to interact with other kids. I don't think it needs to be all or nothing. But more balance is definitely needed in our culture. We should definitely be doing more so that our kids are spending less time playing -- either with their friends or with their electronics.
When I think of babysitters -- I don't ever think of the local high schoolers. They are too busy with all of their studies and extracurricular activities. They HAVE to HAVE those to get into college. So how do you get around this? What is the answer here? The kids I know are too busy to even babysit. Are they too busy to text? No. Email? No. Hang with friends -- No.... although not all the time. They try to do extracurricular activities with their friends so they can see one another. And if they do have a free night they don't want to spend it babysitting they spend it with their friends.
That said - I do think we need to push our kids to do more and to learn more. But I'm not completely sold on the all or nothing parenting technique.
Any thoughts on this?
Hey Kate - I bought the Tiger Mother book. When I'm done with it you can borrow it. I'm afraid I will read it and realize that I have ruined my kids. Well, it's not too late for a few of them!
ReplyDeleteI'm still confused by the article. What is wrong with sports and acting? I don't like how the chinese gov't suppresses all form of creativity and thinking for yourself and I feel like this is a form of it with your kids. Yes - push your kids to do their best.. but only the violin and piano? really? geesh. I like a bit more restraint on the "pushing" your kids all night to be #1 but more emphasis on doing your best and having balance in your life.
ReplyDeletePlus, are her kids socially retarded when it comes to friends? LMK what the book says. I'm interested in reading more.
Did you read the next article I posted?
I'm printing it off. We're reviewing it for book club next month. If you find any other articles, research, stats, etc. to either support or refute, let me know. I need them!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/fashion/16Cultural.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=retreat+of+the+tiger+mother&st=cse
ReplyDeleteDid you see Amy Chau's retreat from her article? It's in the NYT today. Interesting, to say the least. I think she's just showing how she's trying to do her best at parenting in the way that she knows best -- how she was raised herself. Interesting. What do you think?