TWO SIDES OF THE PARENTING ARGUMENT

TIGER MUM, AMY CHUA Eating

“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. Their kids still end up in therapy for eating disorders and negative self image…”

Getting to bed

“As a purely mathematical fact, people who sleep less live more.”

Bad behaviour

“One of the first things Chinese people learn is that you must respect authority. No matter what, you don’t talk back to your parents, teachers, elders.”

GENTLE PARENT, DR BECKY KENNEDY Eating

“Parents decide what food is offered, where it is offered, when it is offered. I encourage parents to always offer one ‘safe’ food that your child likes. Children decide whether and how much to eat of what’s offered.”

Getting to bed

“The next time your child protests, share words like this: ‘You really wish you could stay up later. I get that. Going to bed is often really hard for me too’.”

Bad behaviour

“When a kid is out of control they need the adult to be in control. So it’s [about saying] ‘I won’t let you hit’, instead of ‘go to your room for hitting’.”