<p>Good point, kelsmom! Personally, I would prefer your style of parenting, a way we were brought up. I have been on my own since 16. When I came to this country with no money, no family, zero English, I made my way to an ivy PhD. To me, although to survive is an important motivation, but passion is the ultimate one. So, giving fish is never my philosophy to educate my kid. What I have been looking for is the true passion (the self-motivation) in him.</p>
<p>But, there is, as bomerr pointed out, a timeframe in each life stage that requires decisions based upon one’s motivation. Sure, they will have to find their own way eventually, and I could only hope that it wouldn’t be too late to do anything about it.</p>