Amy Chua
Some people are just self-motivated - my husband was. I also believe there are many children for whom parental involvement is key.
Some people don't need parental commitment, they will still come out great, but for others, parents can be critical in providing moral and academic guidance.
When my kids wanted to give up on things, I wouldn't let them, and those are lifelong lessons.
What the Chinese parent is conveying to the child is not that 'you've got to get A's or else I won't like you.' On the contrary, it's, 'I believe in you so much, I know that you can be excellent.'
I'm willing to be different than other parents and go against the mainstream.
You can coddle your child and tell them, 'You're the best no matter what.' But in the end, when they go out into the real world, I think it's pretty tough out there and other children are cruel.
I'm a slave to my dogs and go out with them almost every day. They are poorly behaved if they don't run. They really act up.
I do play tennis, but I don't really like competition. I'm supposed to be so intense, but I hate competition.
I think if you're a 'tiger parent' early on, you don't need to be a 'helicopter parent' in high school.
Do you know what a foreign accent is? It's a sign of bravery.Collection: Courage
Western parents try to respect their children’s individuality, encouraging them to pursue their true passions, supporting their choices, and providing positive reinforcement and a nurturing environment. By contrast, the Chinese believe that the best way to protect their children is by preparing them for the future, letting them see what they’re capable of, and arming them with skills, work habits, and inner confidence that no one can ever take away.Collection: Children
My goal as a parent is to prepare you for the future, not to make you like me.Collection: Goal
All decent parents want to do what's best for their children. The Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that.Collection: Children
Never complain or make excuses. If something seems unfair, just prove yourself by working twice as hard and being twice as good.Collection: Complaining
Tenacious practice, practice, practice is crucial for excellence; rote repetition is underrated in America.Collection: Practice
The fact is that Chinese parents can do things that would seem unimaginable-even legally actionable-to Westerners. Chinese mothers can say to their daughters, "Hey fatty-lose some weight." By contrast, Western parents have to tiptoe around the issue, talking in terms of "health" and never ever mentioning the f-word, and their kids still end up in therapy for eating disorders and negative self image.Collection: Daughter
There's nothing better for building confidence than learning you can do something you thought you couldn't.Collection: Confidence
Chinese parents believe that their kids owe them everything.Collection: Believe
Be modest, be humble, be simple.Make sure you come in first so that you have something to be humble about.Collection: Humble
Western parents worry a lot about their children's self-esteem. But as a parent, one of the worst things you can do for your child's self-esteem is to let them give up. On the flip side, there's nothing better for building confidence than learning you can do something you thought you couldn't.Collection: Children
Every day that you don't practice is a day you're getting worse.Collection: Practice
But just because you love something, I added to myself, doesn't mean you'll ever be great. Not if you don't work. Most people stink at the things they love.Collection: Mean
I kind of - I like my life, I feel I have lots of opportunities. And my parents actually having had such high expectations for me - I would say it's the greatest gift that anyone has ever given me. I complained a lot when I was little, but that's how I feel now. And that's why I tried to do the same with my two daughters.Collection: Daughter
Unlike Western parents, reminding my child of Lord Voldemort didn't bother me.Collection: Children
The truth is I'm not good at enjoying life.Collection: Enjoy Life
Everything I've ever done that's valuable is something I was afraid to try.Collection: Trying
What Chinese parents understand is that nothing is fun until you're good at it. pg 29Collection: Fun
My dogs can't do anything--and what a relief. I don't make any demands of them, and I don't try to shape them or their future. For the most part, I trust them to make the right choices for themselves. I always look forward to seeing them, and I love just watching them sleep. What a great relationship.Collection: Dog
Nothing is fun until you're good at it.Collection: Fun
Parenting cannot just be one size fits all.Collection: Parent
Be modest, be humble, be simple.Collection: Humble
The most successful hyperpowers are the ones where there was actual intermixing. Tang dynasty China was Chinas golden age, and contrary to what I was told when I was growing up, Tang China was founded by a man who by todays standards was no more than half Chinese. It was a mixed-blood dynasty that pulled in "barbarians" from the steppe.Collection: Growing Up
There are all these new books out there portraying Asian mothers as scheming, callous, overdriven people indifferent to their kids' true interests. For their part, many Chinese secretly believe that they care more about their children and are willing to sacrifice much more for them than Westerners, who seem perfectly content to let their children turn out badly. I think it's a misunderstanding on both sides. All decent parents want to do what's best for their children. The Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that.Collection: Mother
As a purely mathematical fact, people who sleep less live more.Collection: Sleep
There are all kinds of psychological disorders in the West that don't exist in Asia.Collection: Psychological Disorders
For my senior prom, my father finally said I could go - as long as I was home by 9pm! That was around the time that most people were heading out. When I was little I was so mad at them all the time. Why can't I do this? Why are there so many rules? But looking back now, my parents gave me the foundation to have so many choices in life.Collection: Senior
Most things are difficult at the beginning and they become fun, something you love, only after you've worked at them.Collection: Fun
Nothing is fun until you’re good at it.Collection: Fun
Most things are difficult at the beginning and they become fun, something you love, only after you’ve worked at them.Collection: Fun
I think there are many ways to raise great kids. From what I can tell, Ayelet Waldman’s kids are interesting, strong, and happy, and if that’s the case, that’s good parenting.Collection: Strong