Life Skills to become a better person
I don’t know about you, but since I was raised by the OG (Original Gangster) Tiger Mom. By that I mean she took us everywhere and put us in everything. We did every activity and gentile sport she could enrol us in! Of course she drew the line at American football, because what if you got hurt and got a scar on your face? However the pinnacle existence for all Korean maternal activity is forcing your child to play several instruments!
the real life Joy Luck Club
My brother and I played the piano for about ten years. As we grew older I really couldn’t stand the daily practicing. It was like that movie Joy Luck Club every day! Now what I do with my kids is a little bit different. I think I have PTSD from the pressures of having such an overachiever mother. She wanted us to do so many things and be our ultimate best. I often felt that was the only way she be proud of me.
My Twist on tiger mom
I try to be a balance of the parenting I experienced with her, and what’s better for the kids with modern mentality. A big part of documenting it is by taking photos as a memory of their childhood. I think with advent of camera phones it made documenting life much easier, however I feel this access to unlimited photos has spoiled us. Growing up my mom took photos of us, she brought out a hair brush, a clean pressed outfit, and try to give the moment dignity. Photography was more special especially when you were limited to 24 or 36 in a canister of film. When I look at the photos from my childhood, I can see that I well loved and well cared for.
family collaboration
Now I like taking photos because it’s a complete process! I can utilize all my extra energy to become my own creative director. I put together the style of the shoot, clothing and the hair. It also allows the kids to use their own creative license. Since we are always trying to improvise and work together on these projects.
Strangely enough I guess I’m not so far from my mother, the violin in these series of photos is real. Although the kids are trying to take lessons we are using this more like a prop, but it fits with the mood. I was so excited when Mini Rodini came out this year with their AW20 Fur Elise. Ironically as I was growing up it was the only song that I could play as I had memorized it. So when my mom had her friends come over, she would obviously brag (all her friends this with their kids!) that I play the piano. I would always bring out that Für Elise.
Für Elise
I had a great idea. I would have kids play music on the street and to have them imitate a busking session on a violin. Sorta like musical prodigies playing music to people on the street wearing these cool appropriate clothes. I just love how my son looks like a romantic Baby Beethoven with that wild hair and that face. He just looks like he could belong on a bust. It’s just one of my favourites that picture really melts this tiger mom’s heart.