Have you heard the term, "Tiger mom"? It was quite popular when I first started learning porcelain painting in the States. Many American painters I met in my classes often asked me if I was a tiger mom. I'd already learned the term from my friend from Texas, so I wasn't confused when I received the question. Since then, I'd wanted to read the book "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" in English, but unfortunately, I hadn't had the opportunity until now.

A couple of weeks ago, I finally finished reading it. I guess the term, tiger mom, is originally from a Chinese saying, "Mother lions often drop their cubs from cliffs to choose raising stronger ones." This means obstacles make children tougher and wiser, so mothers should raise their children in the hard way. The book author, Amy Chua, a professor at Yale law school raised two of her daughters the way. Both of her daughters ended up graduating from Ivy League colleges, becoming lawyers, with one as a pianist, the other one as a violinist. She believes that practicing music instruments from a young age teaches them patient, builds their guts, and reads them toward being a very determined person. She succeeded raising her first daughter but had to struggle her second one. It was fascinating to read her way to raise her children.

In the book she writes about Western moms tend to be lenient, while Asian moms are strict. I have to agree. Since I don't know much about other Asian culture, I just focus on Japanese culture. I've experienced through porcelain painting Western people are much better at giving compliment to others, but we are not. For example, all my American painting teachers always tried to find something good in my work to compliment before moving on critique. Japanese painting teachers never teach the way. They are mostly super strict. Amy Chua thinks this lenient way isn't good for children's education, but I think it works. Although I didn't raise my daughter in the soft way, even though I wasn't fully a tiger mom, I was kind of a strict mom. I regret I didn't give enough compliment to her. Fortunately, my daughter completed her master's degree and got a good job at Ajinomoto. If I'd raised her in the soft way to give enough compliment, perhaps she would have built self-confidence more quickly and easily.

Now, I feel much wiser to raise children even though my daughter has already grown up. I still have my grandson! I've learned that the way we connect with our children gives huge influence on their personality. So, I'd love to find his good parts to compliment him. I believe that it'll help build his self-confidence.

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