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Am I a Tiger Mum?

Each evening on top of reading, (which is required by the school) E and I sit down together and I get him to practice his letter writing because I have noticed that he has not been forming his letters correctly (he’s in Year 1) and there are quite a few that he consistently gets confused with and writes back to front. We are currently on the letters “a,d and g” at the moment. He usually writes a couple of lines of each letter before moving onto a spelling test of 14 or so words.

I also have plans for him to practice writing his numbers as a lot of them are also written back to front and will also be introducing some maths too.

It got me thinking though… am I a tiger mum? Am I pushing him too hard each evening after his reading when he is probably already tired from a day at school?

tiger-mum

 Tiger Mum: is a strict or demanding mother who pushes her children to high levels of achievement

I’d like to think that although I can be strict, I also like my boys to have fun. We love nothing more than a fun family day out, and I love watching them run around in open spaces embracing their freedom or watching a movie or playing games together. Every minute of every day is not focused just on his learning and education, and we have consciously not signed up to any after school activities and not filled our weekend diaries with any other clubs. The only thing we do take him to is swimming, for half an hour on a Saturday morning.

Hubby and I both agree that we would not push our boys into doing anything that they didn’t enjoy and would very much like them to find their own interests and pursue them if they so wish.

I was chatting to a school mum the other day, and she seemed quite surprised that I was getting E to do this extra work.

I want to be clear though – I don’t do this so that he can be at the top of his class or anything like that. I’m just aware that with 30 children in a class it must be difficult for the teacher to dedicate much one-on-one time with each child and if I don’t help my child with forming his letters correctly now, it can only be harder to correct this further down the line and will also hinder is ability to start to learn how to join his writing up.

It’s also quite nice to sit down each evening and have some one-on-one time with E. It’s the time of day where we both sit together at the table to have a chat about his day whilst doing some “work” and of course on occasions when he is tired we omit the work in favour of reading a story instead.

E has always loved soaking up information and loves learning and is generally a very curious boy with a thirst for knowledge. Perhaps I am a little “tiger mum-ish”, but in all honesty, I think we both quite enjoy having this daily time together.

Yes, I want him to do well at school but above all else – I want him to be happy.

Would you class yourself as a tiger mum? Do you do extra work with your children outside of homework?

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About The Author

Picture of Maria
Hello and welcome to Suburban Mum! I'm Maria and I'm mum to two boys - E who's 14 and M who's 11. This blog is about my family, the ups and downs of being a working mum and everything in between. If you want to find out more about me and my family head over to our About us page.

85 thoughts on “Am I a Tiger Mum?”

  1. Mum in Brum

    It sounds like you’ve got the balance just right! I think children should as you say be given space to pursue their own interests, but they do need to be nudged and supported too. If he enjoys learning then he probably loves this time with you, I don’t think you sound like a tiger mum at all, just one who cares! My daughter is only 11 months now, but hoping I’ll be able to find the right balance too #KCACOLS

    Reply
    1. Maria

      Thank you – I think you’re so right. It’s definitely about finding the right balance! We don’t do any on a Friday or Saturday and during the week it’s just what we can fit in depending on tiredness!

      Reply
  2. The Speed Bump

    My parents encouraged us a lot to do a lot of reading and writing before and outside of school, and I never saw them as tiger parents, but it paid off – we’ve all done really well academically, and have always been several years ahead in reading and writing at every stage. It sounds like you’re doing brilliantly, I’m hoping I’ll be able to do as well as you are when my daughter is older! #KCACOLS

    Reply
    2. Suburban Mum

      That’s good to know – my parents were the opposite and didn’t have time to spend with us on doing any extra reading and writing as they were always busy working so I want to make a concerted effort in helping the boys as best I can and make time for it as I do think its important. x

      Reply
  3. TheMummyToolbox

    I think i’m probably a tiger mum and my son is only 3 :p so maybe i’m not the best judge! I think you’re finding the right balance between fun and learning, why not help him to be better and improve? i think the alternative of having children feeling like they can’t achieve anything or learn is far more destructive! and in the long run he’ll thank you for it 🙂 #KCACOLS

    Reply
  4. Random Musings

    I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting your child to do well, as long as doing their best is good enough. I think its great that you do extra work with him 🙂 Thanks for hosting #KCACOLS
    Debbie

    Reply
    1. Maria

      Thanks Debbie! I just want to give him that one-on-one help that he may not be necessarily be getting at school but it is about getting the right balance though. x

      Reply
  5. Jessica Powell

    I don’t think it’s pushing too hard – if you wanted him to write essays on Chaucer every night, maybe, but so long as it’s geared to a child’s age and abilities I think it’s fine. 🙂 Marianna is too young yet but I do worry that I’ll be pushy. I was the most stereotypical ‘swot’ as a child and just hope I’ll be able to recognise when something goes from being something she wants and is able to do, to something she sees as a horrible chore looming before her, you know? #KCACOLS

    Reply
    1. Maria

      I think as parents we’ll be able to recognise if we are pushing our children too hard (I hope so anyway!) I’m very conscious that I don’t make it seems like a chore and at the moment he seems to enjoy it so we’ll see! x

      Reply
  6. Silly Mummy

    I don’t really know yet if I will be! I think it is hard to get the balance between challenging them to reach their potential and pushing too hard. I don’t think your letters are overstepping the mark, though! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  7. Markus Seibert

    My boys have just started school and I already disagree with the school. Why does a reception class need homework assignments? Shouldn’t the reception class be about teaching the kids through fun and play and preparing them for what school is all about and if possible even make them like school? But hey getting back to your question I don’t think you’re a tigerMum you just want what you think is best for your child. #KCACOLS

    Reply
    1. Maria

      I agree I also don’t think reception class need homework. We are very lucky they the school E goes to is all about learning through play. It only now he’s in Year 1 that he has weekly homework but they do read every night.

      Reply
    2. Suburban Mum

      E didn’t get any homework in reception but does get something once a week now he is in Year 1 and they are required to read or be read to every night. I guess it depends on the ethos of the school. E’s school concentrate on learning through play which I think is great as you are right children who have just started school don’t need to be doing homework!

      Reply
  8. Laura

    This is a hard one for me to comment on as my children are not yet st school. I actually disagree in young children getting homework full stop. I think I would say is you know your child best and whether you think it is too much for him. #kcacols

    Reply
    1. Maria

      You are very right Laura – we know our children better than anyone. E’s school is really focused on learning through play so although he has homework it’s only once a week now he’s in year 1 x

      Reply
  9. Lynn Hogg

    I am not a big fan of homework in general but helping your children with a specifc area is different. As long as he wants to do the work and is happy then it isn’t a problem. #KCACOLS

    Reply
    1. Maria

      Thanks Lyn! E does seem to enjoy the work – spelling especially but then I also oddly liked spelling tests when I was a child too! He must get it from me!

      Reply
  10. A Moment With Franca

    I don’t think you are a Tiger Mum! You are just trying to help your child to learn how to do his letters. He would probably have more fun doing it with you than at school. Y1 is hard as they are not in Reception anymore and they have more homework. It is not just having fun anymore although they do a lot of fun things too. I’m of the idea that you need to guide your kids to the correct path. Getting Bella to do homework is very hard but we try our best to encourage her to do it and to have fun with it if possible. My parents were very pushy my whole life and I never thought that was bad. That actually encourage me to be better!! Thanks so much for sharing this with us and for helping me with #KCACOLS this week. I hope you enjoy co-hosting the linky this week! 🙂 xxx

    Reply
    1. Maria

      Ahh thanks Franca – there does seem to be a big jump from reception but E doesn’t seem to phased by this so far. I think we all just try and do the best we can don’t we?

      Reply
    2. Suburban Mum

      Thanks Franca – I have noticed a big difference in the way they are learning compared to Reception. I’m not sure if any of this is to do with having a different teacher though or just moving up to Year 1. They seem to have less one-on-one time….

      Reply
  11. mommyslittleprincesses

    Tiger mum now this is a term I much prefer. Like you I too get Ella to sit down and do a bit of letter formation practice. Not only do we practice our normal lettering formation but we also practice any of the pre- cursive letter formations she has been learning at school. We also practice writing sentences and rhyming words. Ells is all for learning so she doesn’t mind practicing and while we don’t practice every day religiously she is still getting better at it all. On the days we don’t practice Ella will sit and read to Holly or they will just go off and play together . I really don’t think there is anything wrong with doing it and I always give Ella the choice. Xx #KCACOLS

    Reply
  12. Wendy Hughes

    I don’t think you’re a tiger mum (what a funny expression by the way!). It is good you are helping him with his letters and numbers and if E is enjoying it then why worry? You are helping him with his education but this time is also a great opportunity for you both to chat and bond. I would say you’re more of a cat mum than a full on tiger 🙂 xx #KCACOLS

    Reply
  13. reimer and ruby

    I’m the same as you do, I let Reimer practice his writing at home too apart from his homework. Is E left handed? coz Reimer is left handed and he tends to write back to front before but not anymore now after a lot of practice. I see myself as a tiger mum-ish as well, for the sake of my kids better future.

    Reply
    1. Suburban Mum

      Yes he is left handed like me! Since I wrote this actually and because we have been practicing he has been doing this alot less now but he does still get confused with d and b!

      Reply
  14. Mrs Tubbs

    We used to get the Tubblet to do reading, some writing and a few numbers as we wanted to support the work the school was doing. She is dyslexic so needed to work a little harder to catch up. You couldn’t get less Tiger Mum than me!

    Reply
  15. mummydaddymia

    I have never heard of the term ‘tiger mum’ before but I would not consider you to be one! I don’t think there is any harm in getting little ones to do a few bits after school, it definitely helps them (I was a teacher before having Mia) and if they enjoy doing it then theres no harm. My parents always made us do a bit of something every night so we will be doing the same with Mia when she goes to school 🙂
    #KCACOLS

    Reply
  16. Sleepingthroughyet

    I don’t think you are a ‘tiger mum’, I think it’s great that you are able to spend some time helping him. I hope to do the same with my daughter when she starts school next year if there is something she needs a bit of help with. #KCACOLS

    Reply
  17. mamamim.com

    Ah I’d never learned that expression before 🙂 You are a good mum, not a tiger one 🙂 To me it sounds like you’re giving him the very best start and you’re doing it in a gentle and nurturing way. Mim x #KCACOLS

    Reply
  18. NewMummy Blogger

    It sounds like you’ve got a nice balance, and no there is nothing wrong with encouraging your children, it shows you’re interested. #kcacols

    Reply
  19. Clare

    By the sounds of it, he enjoys that time with you too! I wouldn’t say you’re a Tiger mum, just using one on one time effectively. It’s not like you are constantly forcing him to do school work all the time! It’s about balance and you sound like you have it just right! Stop being hard on yourself 🙂 xx #KCACOLS

    Reply
  20. domesstique

    No, I don’t you’re a tiger mum. There’s a good balance and it’s good that you have that time to spend with him and helping and do things. I am the same too, we do a lot of work outside of homework as I can my daughter is enjoying it too. xx
    #KCACOLS

    Reply
  21. Tin Box Traveller

    My two are not at school yet but I like to think I’d have a similar approach to you. A part from anything it’s a good routine to get into. Further down the line they are going to need more of my time while doing their homework #KCACOLS

    Reply
  22. HandMeDownBaby

    Good post. Mine aren’t school-age but we often joke about whether we’re “hot-housing” Little Miss A with her alphabet and number flash cards…but she finds it fun going through them.
    I almost think parents HAVE to be involved like this, these days, as teachers just don’t have the time to spend 1:1 with each child.
    Thanks for co-hosting #KCACOLS

    Reply
    1. Suburban Mum

      You’re right with 30 children in a class it must be hard for the teacher to be able to help each child and give them as much attention as they need all the time. Especially if they need help with something in particular so we do need to step in and help our child!

      Reply
  23. Kathy Fletcher

    I don’t think there is anything wrong at all with what you are doing. Education come from school and the home but I think there can be the assumption by some parents that the school have got it covered. The teachers need support from parents and doing what you are doing is reinforcing what they are learning in school. As my parents keep telling me..at this age children’s brains are like sponges and will soak the information up.
    I have been doing similar with my daughter in Year 1..doing her reading, practicing her spellings each night and also basic sums up to 10 to help reinforce the number bonds to 10 which they are learning in school (she finds Maths hard). We also practice her 100 high frequency word list and the spelling of these a couple of times during the week. She is happy to do all of this and we stop what we are doing if she shows any signs of fatigue or being silly/losing focus. We don’t want it to become a chore for her, so we do it when she is in the right ‘mood’.

    Reply
  25. Rachel Bitmead

    It’s nice that you are supporting him with his learning. As his mum you know him best. Miss M is only in Reception but she gets weekly homework that we do together and we practice recognising numbers, letters and sounds too #KCACOLS

    Reply
  26. tracey bowden

    There is nothing wrong at all with helping your child. I always have encouraged my daughter to read and write after school and (she has literally just asked me for spellings now as a bedtime distraction!) now at 9 she loves to read and write all the time #KCACOLS

    Reply
  27. Harrys Honest Mummy

    I share your sentiments completely. If that makes me a Tiger Mum then so be it. Better than a lazy mum happy to let their child sit in front of a TV or gaming machine. He enjoys it, you enjoy it. Case closed. Keep going as it in the best investment in time you will ever make :-). #KCACOLS

    Reply
  28. Mummy & the Mexicans

    I think the one-to-one time is probably very valuable to both of you and as long as it’s something he feels happy about and it doesn’t become a boring chore to either of you, then I think it’s great. There’s definitely not much time for that kind of attention in a class of 30 kids! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  29. Mrs Mum nz

    As a year 1 teacher… I say well done!!! You are right, 1 teacher in a class of 30 is hard work. And when we have to teach up to 6 different lessons a day (Reading, writing, phonics, maths, science, PE, topic etc) to 30 very different students it is hard to give each and every one of them the one to one support they often need.
    The school day is tiring, but if your son is happy to come and work with you then great. It’s when you’re dragging him to the table that you need to reassess. Until then, good on you Mum!

    Reply
  30. I'm Every Mum

    I think this is great as long as he is happy to do it. It’s great that you’re trying to correct it before he gets older. If you ever feel it’s a bit much for him, maybe take it to every other day, but I think what you’re doing is brilliant. Ours are in a class of only 6 children per teacher, we deliberately drive a 10 mile journey to get them to this little village school, but the teacher rebuked me for teaching our Year 1 child at home. She was worried I would be confusing her by using ‘Reading Eggs’ we discussed some ways to work together at the last parents evening and she agreed to find out what ‘Reading Eggs’ was before telling me off haha. You are doing what’s best for your child, and that’s all any of us can do xxx #brilliantblogposts

    Reply
  31. Thinking Parenting @thinking_p

    Balance is everything. If children are sitting down doing writing or reading, they are not discovering abstract principles through play or developing gross motor skills other areas of their development which are also important. So, a time for everything and nothing dominating too much is a good idea. #parentingpicks

    Reply
  32. Natasha

    As you said, I think we just want our kids to be happy and if that means giving them a little push with some school “work” then so be it. You sound like you’re striking a good balance which is ultimately what’s important x #brilliantblogposts

    Reply
  33. Moderate Mum

    It’s.early days for me but even now I recognise that I should probably have a little more tiger in me 🙂 I think approach is everything, you can make anything and everything light hearted and fun

    Reply
    1. Suburban Mum

      Agreed! Making things fun is important as they won’t feel so much like they are “learning” I have just bought a small whiteboard and lots of magnetic letters which he is currently enjoying playing with

      Reply
  34. Emma Tustian

    I think it all depends. If your son doesn’t mind and enjoys doing it then why not. For us (N’s in reception), he really needs to get going with it compared with some of the girls in the class, but we don’t get back from afterschool care/work til nearly 6. We have time (and he’s just about willing) to do his phonic worksheet 3 evenings that it comes home. If he doesn’t do it, he’ll usually do it off his own back in the early morning before I’m downstairs. But otherwise, he’s not really fussed, and I’m not sure of it enough with the new ways of teaching, not to confuse him with my way vs the school’s way. So we’ll just take it as it comes.

    Reply
  35. Elen

    My son is also in year 1 and it’s amazing the amount of stuff they have to do. He is keen to learn so that is good, he loves reading and doing maths. We get home after 6 everyday so to be fair we are all quite tired to do a lot of homework, so I don’t push him to much
    #brilliantblogposts

    Reply
  36. Morgan Prince

    I don’t think you could class yourself as a tiger mum. I do the same and work with LP after school on his reading and writing. I’m helping my child. That’s the only way to look at it. 🙂
    #BrilliantBlogPosts

    Reply
  38. Becky Pink

    I think you are right to help him, I do with my 4 year old, and I love seeing how proud she is when she gets it right. Like you, I’d never push her if she’s tired or resisting in some way, but a bit of one on one time can only be a good thing. Becky x #KCACOLS

    Reply
  39. Suburban Mum

    Thanks Lucy – its hard to know how much you should be doing with them and not get caught up with competitive mums etc and I don’t want to be too pushy and end up him not enjoying what we do. It’s a hard thing to balance (for me anyway!)

    Reply

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