The Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother - Webchat with author, Amy Chua - Today 1 - 2pm.

[RachelMumsnet]

The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother was met with an avalanche of debate on its publication in January. We're delighted Amy Chua will be joining us at MNHQ on Tuesday 7 June, 1-2pm, to discuss the book and even more that Bloomsbury have agreed to give away 200 copies of The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother to Mumsnetters in advance of the discussion.

Amy Chua's daughters, Sophia and Louisa (Lulu) were polite, interesting and helpful, they were two years ahead of their classmates in maths and had exceptional musical abilities. But Sophia and Lulu were never allowed to attend a sleepover, be in a school play, choose their own extracurricular activities, get any grade less than an A, and not be the #1 student in every subject (except gym and drama). And they had to practise their instruments for hours every day, as well as in school breaks and on family holidays.

The Chinese-parenting model certainly seemed to produce results. But what happens when you do not tolerate disobedience and are confronted by a screaming child who would sooner freeze outside in the cold than be forced to play the piano?

In The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, Amy Chua relates her experiences raising her children the 'Chinese way', and how dutiful, patient Sophia flourished under the regime and how tenacious, hot-tempered Lulu rebelled. It was supposed to be a story of how Chinese parents are better at raising kids than Western ones. But instead, it's about a bitter clash of cultures, a fleeting taste of glory, and how you can be humbled by a 13-year-old.

Put the date in your diary to join Amy at lunchtime on 7 June.

For more information about Amy Chua and The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother please click here.

[PaisleyLeaf]

Should be interesting.
I've read several articles (and discussions on here) about Tigermother. But not her actual book.

[pinkthechaffinch]

just emailed-hope I get a copy

[gramercy]

I've read a lot about this book and keep threatening the dcs that I must start using Tiger Mother methods. Some hope...

[TotalChaos]

e-mailed too. should be a v interesting web chat.

[missorinoco]

The link doesn't work.

[Blatherskite]

It's had some interesting reviews. Hoping I get a copy so I can see for myself....

[kylester]

Link still not working....

[ReshapeWhileDamp]

Nope, not for me either. Am really curious to read the book after hearing it serialised on R4 (and I'm trying hard not to put my judgy pants on until I've read it properly!).

[munstersmum]

I've emailed as only read bits in the Sunday newspapers. Shall be really interested to get the whole story.

[elkiedee]

Aaarrgggh, I expect I've missed it after 2 days but will email. I've read it from the library but would love to have my own copy and also wanted to write a review, but keep having to give it back to the library.

[elkiedee]

I think it's been presented as a parenting manual which it really isn't, it's more of a memoir of parenting and I think Amy Chua recognises her approach hasn't been entirely successful.

[blurdylurdy]

Have read the book already and it's full of inconsistencies and very badly written. Agree that it's a memoir rather than a manual; I really don't see what anyone would get out of it.

[DirtyMartini]

I wanted to buy this but decided not to because it was a hardback and kind of over the price point I'd expected; so this is nice, to get to read it for free (hopefully).

I thought she came across well on Woman's Hour, and while I wouldn't try her methods myself, I suspect she's been slightly unfairly demonized by loads of people who haven't read the book/heard her discuss it at all. But I haven't read it yet either so I may well change my tune.

[JemimaMop]

Brilliant news!

I won't be emailing for a copy as I already have one, but I was gutted to have missed Justine and Amy talking at Hay this year (we are at Hay during the first weekend and I haven't managed to persuade DH to go back for the second weekend so that I can hear the discussion!). So now, as long as I time my lunch break right, I can join in with this virtually. Well done MN!

[SpringHeeledJack]

I've skimmed the odd article, and find the teeth marks on the piano keys has stayed with me, rather



would love to read the book

[jgbmum]

I was talking about this book with friends this morning, would love to read it, and will definitely be tuning in to the webchat next month.

[ThatVikRinA22]

heard enough of this when she spoke on Radio 2, sounds horrific and abusive imo.
not sure i could contain myself long enough for a web chat. bet she has made some money out of documenting how to be abusive enough to your children to make them do exactly as you want, how can you force your child to achieve nothing but A grades by threatening to smack them if they dont? wonder if there will be a follow up about how later down the line they rebel in spectacular fashion.

not for me at all.

[ArfurBrain]

would like to read a copy for free - really don't want to give her any money!
All the excerpts I have read have made me shout the the TV, radio etc.
though with a tiny grudging respect at her single mindedness!

[DuchessEm]

I would love to read this book as I am studying for a degree in Psychology and have read quite a bit about developmental and child psychology and the way it differs from culture to culture and they way the different methods affect the children in the long term. It will be interesting to read a first had account of these methods.

[southofthethames]

Haven't read the book yet but I can see her PR people have been working hard to plug it like some undiscovered work of genius...not sure what it adds to the many memoirs from famous and not so famous people who said "well, my mum never let me watch tv growing up", or "I am a famous musician/perfomer/athlete partly because we were too poor to invite people round so my parents made me practise all day instead".....am bit annoyed that marketing and media people have jumped on the label "Chinese tiger mum" as most Chinese parents I know are attentive and kind and would be more than happy for their children to be in school plays and pick their own afterschool activities, as long as they finished their homework and passed their tests/projects. But none of that nonsense about forcing them to practise the piano - most parents wouldn't have the time.

[RachelMumsnet]

Apologies for the dodgy link earlier - it's now corrected - you can read more about Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother here

Have just spoken with Bloomsbury and there are still a few copies of the book to giveaway - but only a few, so email [email protected] with your name, address and 'TIGERMOTHER' in the subject line, if you want to grab one of the last copies. We will email again once they are all gone. They will be sending them out later this week. Once you've read the book, do feel free to post questions in advance to Amy if you're unable to join us for the live webchat on 7 June.

[RachelMumsnet]

Bloomsbury have informed us all the books have now gone - sorry to those who weren't successful. You can buy Tigermother here

[pinkthechaffinch]

Received mine today-thanks v much Mnet -have never been quick enough with this sort of thing before !!!

[housemum]

Just received it - looking forward to reading the full book rather than the chosen excerpts - will be an interesting read if I can stop my non-tiger-cubs from shouting long enough to sit down. (I'm the tabby cat mother, sat on my backside with a saucer of milk cup of tea, just hoping I can reason with the children to behave and do their homework. I might learn something...)