The Mother Lode

Have you found yourself mulling over your parenting ways in light of the dialog over Amy Chua’s article and book?

I know many have; I’ve heard from some of them.  We parents are our own harshest critics.  I’m too lenient.  I should have made my kid stick with piano.  I let them play video games too much. (This one frequently echoes in my head.)

It’s good to regularly examine one’s ways and adjust when necessary.  I’m also a firm believer in giving oneself plenty of mercy and grace too.  We are imperfect parents raising imperfect kids.

The biggest problem dogging our heels, IMHO, is that SHAME and FEAR is the driving force of the many things we do as parents.

I was shouting “YES!” when I watched this TED talk.  In it, Brene Brown discusses the power of vulnerability.  Pay special attention to what she says about those perfect kids at 17.41.

The more I think about Amy Chua and her stalwart ways, the more I admire the guts she has to be so transparent in sharing her journey.  I suspect Grace is closer to her than many of us would assume.  (Isn’t Grace always standing close by, waiting to help?)

I love Brene’s final comments.  Our job as parents isn’t to have “perfect” kids.  Our job is to say “You’re imperfect.  But you’re worthy of love and belonging.”

Can you imagine a generation of kids being raised this way?

Filed under: Current events, family life, Individuality, parenting, Personal development Tagged: | Amy Chua, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, Brene Brown, parenting, TED talks, The power of vulnerability