I say ‘I love you’ to my daughters every day.
Instilling a sense of self-discipline and focus when the kids are younger makes it so much easier by the time they get into high school.
As a purely mathematical fact, people who sleep less live more.
I think the biggest difference is that I’ve noticed Western parents seem much more concerned about their children’s psyches, their self-esteem, whereas tough immigrant parents assume strength rather than fragility in their children and therefore behave completely differently.
You know, parenting is so personal. And we’re all afraid that we didn’t quite get it right. And it feels like the stakes are so high. By we – what if we made a mistake?
You can’t invent Google, Facebook or the iPod unless you’ve mastered the basics, are willing to put in long hours and can pick yourself up from the floor when life knocks you down the first 10 times.
I’m a proud strict mom and, you know, I’m really proud of the two daughters I’ve raised. And I’m especially proud of my relationship with them. We’re very close. I think we’re good friends.
There are all kinds of psychological disorders in the West that don’t exist in Asia.
All decent parents want to do what’s best for their children. The Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that.
Nothing is fun until you’re good at it.
The truth is I’m not good at enjoying life.
But just because you love something, I added to myself, doesn’t mean you’ll ever be great. Not if you don’t work. Most people stink at the things they love.
Every day that you don’t practice is a day you’re getting worse.
I think there are many ways to raise great kids. From what I can tell, Ayelet Waldman’s kids are interesting, strong, and happy, and if that’s the case, that’s good parenting.
Parenting cannot just be one size fits all.
Most things are difficult at the beginning and they become fun, something you love, only after you’ve worked at them.
Never complain or make excuses. If something seems unfair, just prove yourself by working twice as hard and being twice as good.
My goal as a parent is to prepare you for the future, not to make you like me.
I worry that by losing my temper so much and being so harsh and yelling so much that, by example, I will have taught my daughters to be that way, and I’m now constantly telling them not to do that.
Questioning authority is, I think, a great thing to instill in children. I just didn’t have enough of that when I was little.