Are You a Tiger Mom? Regardless, Join our Patch Book Talk

There's the helicopter mom. The free-range mom. The attachment mom.

And the tiger mom.

Whether or not you've read Chinese mom Amy Chua's account of her strict, Old World approach to child-rearing, you've no doubt heard it discussed in certain playgroup circles.

In Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, Chua chronicles her efforts to not let her daughters grow up like Westerners, whom she views as "weak-willed and indulgent."

Here is a glimpse inside her world:

• Chua locks her 3-year-old daughter outside in 20-degree weather because she will not practice the piano.
• Chua does not allow her children to get any grades less than an A. She does not allow playdates or sleepovers.
• Chua brags that she handed back a handmade birthday card that was given to her by her youngest daughter and states: “I do not want this. I deserve better than this. So, I reject this."

Harsh? Maybe.

If you've read the book, let us know what you think.

If you haven't read it but want to, we're giving away three copies this morning. Tell us in the comments section that you want to read the book; we'll pick three winners at random by noon today; check back then, and we'll arrange to get the books to you sometime today. (You must be 18 to enter the random drawing; view complete contest rules .)