At least I'm not the worst!

I frequently fear that I'm a terrible mom, chipping away at Riley's likelihood of future success and happiness one day at a time. 

So in a way, I was almost relieved to read this horrific article on parenting in the Wall Street Journal and realize that however bad a mom I may be, I'll never be as bad as this one!

The author describes the secrets to Chinese parenting, why their kids tend to be so successful. She notes (in all seriousness) that Chinese children are never allowed to:

• attend a sleepover

• have a playdate

• be in a school play

• complain about not being in a school play

• watch TV or play computer games

• choose their own extracurricular activities

• get any grade less than an A

• not be the No. 1 student in every subject except gym and drama

• play any instrument other than the piano or violin

• not play the piano or violin.

Then she goes on to describe how she has insulted and practically tortured her children until they have learned to behave like perfect little automatons. 

No thanks! Maybe my kid won't be the next Mozart, but I'm also not going to strangle his creativity, confidence, and spirit in the pursuit of perfect grades. I'd rather raise a well-adjusted poet than an ultra high-achieving zombie. Call me a bad mother!