children have received the best education available。
One day in 1996； one of my children came home disillusioned with school。 He was bored and tired of studying。 〃Why should I put time into studying subjects I will never use in real life？〃 he protested。
Without thinking； I responded； 〃Because if you don't get good grades； you won't get into college。〃
〃Regardless of whether I go to college；〃 he replied； 〃I'm going to be rich。〃
〃If you don't graduate from college； you won't get a good job；〃 I responded with a tinge of panic and motherly concern。 〃And if you don't have a good job； how do you plan to get rich？〃
My son smirked and slowly shook his head with mild boredom。 We have had this talk many times before。 He lowered his head and rolled his eyes。 My words of motherly wisdom were falling on deaf ears once again。
Though smart and strong…willed； he has always been a polite and respectful young man。
〃Mom；〃 he began。 It was my turn to be lectured。 〃Get with the times！ Look around； the richest people didn't get rich because of their educations。 Look at Michael Jordan and Madonna。 Even Bill Gates； who dropped out of Harvard； founded Microsoft； he is now the richest man in America； and he's still in his 30s。 There is a baseball pitcher who makes more than 4 million a year even though he has been labeled ‘mentally challenged。' 〃
There was a long silence between us。 It was dawning on me that I was giving my son the same advice my parents had given me。 The world around us has changed； but the advice hasn't。
Getting a good education and making good grades no longer ensures success； and nobody seems to have noticed； except our children。
〃Mom；〃 he continued； 〃I don't want to work as hard as you and dad do。 You mak