One I particularly like is Erika Christakis's The Call of the Dolphin Mother. Dolphin Mothers apparently appreciate the value of play for their young, are nurturing, and are protective while encouraging independence. They are creative, flexible, and can develop new teaching tools. And, man, can they develop tools and teach their young how to use them. Check out this National Geographic article: Dolphin Moms Teach Daughters to Use Tools. Top that, Tiger Moms!
Christakis also points out that Tiger Mothers sometimes cannibalize their young. Now please do not tell me that Dolphin Mothers occasionally do the same. I don't want to hear it! I'm still getting over learning, after virtually worshipping sea otters for their cuteness for years, that sea otter males are complete Neanderthal cavemen in their intimate relationships:-O Please don't shatter my faith in another marine mammal.
I love the Dolphin Mother idea. When I used to sail at Hout Bay back in South Africa, dolphins would often frolic in the wake of the boat. They always gave the impression of being so happy, enthusiastic, playful, friendly, and full of joie de vivre. Their lives seemed to be filled with sheer delight and fun. I hope my children are able to lead "dolphin lives" that allow them to happily follow their own stars (or wakes of boats.)
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Then Ayelet Waldman came up with a tongue-in-cheek essay, In Defense of the Guilty, Ambivalent, Preoccupied Western Mom, in which she describes how she readily allowed her children to quit piano and violin and appreciated thereby being delivered from having to endure her children's music recitals. Unlike Ms. Chua, Ms. Waldman also allowed her children to have sleepovers and enjoyed the resulting savings in babysitter costs. She's honest, self-effacing, and amusing, and leaves me thinking that none of us really has a handle on this parenting thing. Maybe not even dolphins.
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