Battle Hymn of the Tax Tiger...

This logo is from a business in California - I wonder if they're Chinese?
WARNING: Another politically incorrect post.

I've been reading all about the newest scourge of the liberal media: the Tiger Mother who dares to discipline her children and demand excellence.  How dare she!  I mean, what is she thinking - raising independent, responsible children in a society where it's not considered politically correct to take responsibility for one's own behavior and accept the consequences.  Of course, what do I know?  I'm reminded every so often why God, in His infinite wisdom, did not give me children.  I don't have any patience and I prefer children who are seen and not heard.  Gasp - I would have been a Tiger Mother of the WASP variety!  Just yesterday, a client came to see me and brought along her eighteen-month-old child.  Not a problem - until she let him take books off the hallway shelf, relieve them of their covers and proceed to tear at the pages.  The word NO never came out of her mouth and probably never even occurred to her - she tried instead, unsuccessfully, to reason with the child and finally got him to relinquish the books.  Another reminder of why I am childless - I have no qualms whatsoever about bruising a child's pysche, ego, self-esteem or butt.  Whenever my sister and I went anywhere at all with my parents, we sat still and did not speak until we were spoken to.  The more I thought about the whole issue of child-rearing, I realized that we were raised by Tiger Parents.  Anything less than straight As was met with varying degrees of disappointment and an admonition to do better.  If I had a nickel for every time I heard, "This isn't your best work."  We didn't do sleepovers, we participated in very few - if any- extracurricular activities, limited television time and yes, we had chores at home.  I learned to play a musical instrument and entertain myself.  I learned to read at any early age and I have to admit that all of these things made me a better student and, I hope, a more responsible person.  Not that I haven't made my fair share of bad choices and mistakes on my own - but I started out with a solid foundation.  Personally, I think Tiger Mother could make a killing giving parenting seminars.  I know more than a few parents I'd like to sign up!