Counting Blessings

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have been thinking a lot about how truly blessed we are. As the year rushes by, I am afraid I don't really take the time to appreciate all the ways my lfe is touched by God's grace.  While so many are hustling about shopping for more stuff and preparing for the biggest holiday of the year, I am taking time to reflect and truly give thanks!

Bone to Pick

I make every effort to be on time for doctor appointments, these days it is no easy feat. Today our appointment ended with me seeing RED:  I will fill you in...
Waiting to see the doctor for 25 minutes with small children is no easy task.  Sitting in the examination room another 15 minutes to be seen by the nurse is also not OK by me.  The small room cramped with equipment only causes my kids to slowly unravel as I ask them not to touch this or that.  What is worse is we can hear children in other rooms crying and carrying on about shots and medication. This breeds anxiety for all of us! Once the nurse arrives, she stays just a few moments and hands me forms with questions...then steps out, UGGH. The doctor comes in and completes the examination in record speed.  And then, WE WAIT AGAIN.  (See the reoccurring theme here?) When the nurse reappears, I am asked to restrain my child for shots (no wonder the kids in the other room were screaming!).  After the shots we wait once again for scheduling future appointments.  
Total time for a wellness check appoinment 75 minutes. 
Am I the only one who thinks this is ridiculous?

Tiger Mother; A Book Review

There has been a lot of talk surrounding the book Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother by Amy Chua.  The book exposes the clash between eastern and western parenting philosophy.  We all are aware of the stereotypical successful eastern child being musically gifted and at the top of their class.  What is it about eastern child rearing that produces high achieving children? Well,  I too caught up in the buzz and had to get my hands on the book. 
At first, I found the author's parenting well intentioned. Honestly, what parent wouldn't want their children to excel academically?  Pushing children to do their best should be applauded, right?  However, we must look at the cost, the methods, and the whole child.
Let me explain...Amy's people pleasing daughter Sophia meets her mother's demands.  She performs flawlessly in school and masters the piano. There is no television watching, play dates, computer games, or time for sports. Earning any grade less than an A is not tolerated as it would put shame on the family. Amy's eldest daughter follows her mother's instructions without a complaint. Sophia spends endless hours and attention on academics and practice with her mother at her side every step of the way. 
On the other hand, daughter Lulu, puts up resistance to her mother's demands. While Lulu also performs well, she resents not having the freedom to be like others.  She doesn't want to play piano.  Amy squelches any joy Lulu may have had playing the violin (her second instrument) with criticism.  Practicing her instrument hours on end becomes a battle of wills leading to multiple explosive events! (you'll have to read the book)
Even though both daughters enjoy tremendous success, Amy's (Chinese) parenting style is objectionable from my point of view. She openly admits to screaming matches, tears, and putting extreme amounts of pressure on her daughters.  What disturbed me most is that her husband does little to nothing to stop the overbearing intense pressure cooker environment that Amy creates.
I am relatively new to parenting, (my oldest is just three and a half) but count me out as a Tiger Mother.