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"We all know the stereotype of the Jewish mother: Hectoring, guilt-inducing, clingy as a limpet. In Mamaleh Knows Best, Tablet Magazine columnist Marjorie Ingall smashes this tired trope with a hammer. Blending personal anecdotes, humor, historical texts, and scientific research, Ingall shares Jewish secrets for raising self-sufficient, ethical, and accomplished children. She offers abundant examples showing how Jewish mothers have nurtured their children's independence, fostered discipline, urged a healthy distrust of authority, consciously cultivated geekiness and kindness, stressed education, and maintained a sense of humor. These time-tested strategies are the reason Jews have triumphed in a wide variety of settings and fields over the vast span of history. Ingall will make you think, she will make you laugh, and she will make you a better parent. You might not produce a Nobel Prize winner, but you'll definitely get a great human being"-- "In this funny, insightful look at the best practices of Jewish mothering, Marjorie identifies the 10 key tenets of Jewish parenting, then uses a blend of funny anecdotes, modern research, and ancient texts to show how anyone can teach those values at home"--… (more)
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Parenting seems to happen on a different level for Jewish people than for the rest of us. I believe a sense of pride exists among Jews that can serve as an example for others. It is not an understatement to assert that Jews are generally driven to success. If you have doubts about that, just consider the various tough professions in which Jewish people excell at far above average rates. It does not happen by accident. Ingalls talks about this in her book.
You need not be Jewish to find plenty of beneficial advice from Ingalls. Her practical advice includes the recommendation to nurture children's independence. She tells us good discipline teaches kids to be moral. Authority should not be followed blindly, she opinionates. Do you have values? Ingalls thinks it is important for your children to know them. Other advice: Be sure your children know that learning is fun. They need to learn to laugh. Instill the importance of not bullying.
The book is chock-full of this kind of practical advice. You will find it a worthy read. Its creator is a witty person who I have a strong sense would be a fun acquaintence. A ton of pragmatic information is surely bouncing off the walls of the Ingall house. Her two daughters must have thousands of good ideas about how to live their lives because of this clever mamaleh.