I'd love to share a book with you! It's called "I Left My Homework in the Hamptons." I'd love to share with you what I learned from teaching the children of the 1%. The Upper East Side is a lovely, wealthy residential area in New York City. In other words, this book is really about me, the author, who had the amazing opportunity to work as a teacher for the children of wealthy American families.

The author must be pretty special to be chosen as a tutor by a wealthy family on the Upper East Side! Let's take a peek at her resume! The author of this book is Brice Grossberg. She graduated from Harvard University, one of the top universities in the United States, with a bachelor's degree, and later received a doctorate in psychology from Rutgers University.

Of course, in places like the Upper East Side, academic qualifications are just the start. The thing that really made Grossberg stand out as a tutor for wealthy families on the Upper East Side was her extensive teaching experience. In her fifteen-year career, Grossberg has had the pleasure of tutoring thousands of students in New York. She's done really well and has a great reputation.

On the other hand, we can also see how these rich kids have been blessed with the best gifts from their parents since childhood, in the trivial matter of these wealthy families in New York scrambling to hire "academic prodigies" like Grossberg as tutors.

Grossberg comes from an ordinary family and is a standard American version of a "small-town academic." The experiences of her childhood and what she can give her children are worlds apart from what she saw on the Upper East Side.

So, when she first arrived on the Upper East Side, Grossberg was really taken aback by all the things she saw. However, after getting to know the parents and children here really well, Grossberg made some new discoveries and had some new thoughts. She realized that just beneath the shiny appearance, there's a little-known, surging anxiety and fear.

If you're lucky enough to be rich, will you live better than ordinary people? Do you think that wealth can really give children a better education? We all know that the answer to both of these questions is probably not necessarily true. But our subconscious often tells us that yes, wealth does make a difference.

Just think of those lovely folks on the Upper East Side! The parents of those elite American families, who often come from prestigious schools and have enviable jobs, will pave the way for their children's future. Not only are they winners in life, but their children will also be winners in life! I'd like to ask, what could possibly go wrong in their lives?

And let's not forget that the children in these families are loved and cared for from a young age, with all the resources they could possibly need. They're lucky enough to be "born at the top" and have always been able to rely on their families as they grow up. So, what else could they possibly worry about?

If someone thinks this way, I guess Grossberg would say, let me tell you what they are worried about and what they are troubled by. "All parents have one thing in common: the hope that their children will have a better future. It's so hard to know exactly what to do, isn't it?"

In her book, Grossberg lovingly records the "parenting wars" she observed on the Upper East Side. There are two groups at the heart of this: parents and children. Of course, today, when we talk about this book, we must not just aim to gossip about the lives of wealthy Americans. I'd love to tell you more about Grossberg's thoughts on education later on!

But before we get to that, I'd love to share some of Grossberg's observations from the Upper East Side with you. Let's take a moment to consider the living conditions of the parents and children in this area.

Parents on the Upper East Side

Let's start by taking a look at the parents.

From Grossberg's description, it's clear that the parents on the Upper East Side are all very elitist.

The book also gives us a lovely insight into Grossberg's impression of a student's father. She said that this student's father was a very serious man. In fact, he even wears gray clothing on summer days and weekends! On weekdays, he wears a suit and a crisp white shirt with a lovely diamond-patterned tie. His leather shoes are always shiny, and he's as fit as a fiddle! His cheeks are sunken, and even his eyes are pale. "He was just born that way, bless his heart."

If that was the case with my father, I'd love to know what about my mother! It's so interesting that in this book, student mothers appear more frequently. That's just how things are on the Upper East Side. Husbands and wives usually have very clear roles. The book says that in the 1970s, a typical family was one in which both the husband and wife worked and raised two children together. It's so interesting to see how things have changed in America over the years! More and more wealthy people are choosing to have more children. In these families, the husband often becomes the breadwinner, working in the financial industry to earn money. Meanwhile, the wife becomes a full-time mother.

In the book, Grossberg also shares some insights into the living conditions of these mothers. You'll recognize them right away! They usually have lovely blonde hair, though a few have dark brown hair, too. They dress beautifully, too! And because they practice Pilates all year round, they can maintain a slender and fit body.

Of course, just because mothers don't pursue a career doesn't mean they only need to be beautiful. And, as it turns out, mothers have their own special "homework" to take care of, too!

The book says, "These mothers don't slack off at home, and they don't heat up dinner in the microwave like I do or leave the garbage bags in for ages. They're always there for back-to-school nights, never wait five days to read the teacher's email, and always remember to take the kids to the allergist. They devote themselves to housework, and their family is their research subject, their mission, and their passion. In most cases, it's the mom who takes care of the kids' studies and lives, hires tutors, and communicates with them. These moms are usually highly educated, having attended some of the country's top universities. They're also extremely passionate about ensuring their kids get the best education possible.

Grossberg said that in their world, the division of labor between men and women is as clear-cut as it was in the 1950s. Ninety percent of the parents Grossberg meets at work are mothers, and every now and then, there's a dad.

Grossberg says that compared to these amazing mothers, she feels like she's doing pretty poorly. In comparison, she feels like she falls short when it comes to the care she gives her own children.

I'd love to know how concerned these Upper East Side parents are about their children's studies!

First of all, there's no need to mention the point of splashing money around, after all, they don't lack money, bless them! It's so lovely to see how much these parents care about their children's education! They're willing to go the extra mile to make sure their kids get the best education possible. Things like hiring tutors, sending children to private schools, and making donations to schools all have to be arranged.

Secondly, these parents also invest a great deal of their own time and energy into their children's education. The book says that they'll be right there with their kids, taking part in all the fun and learning that goes on at school. From afternoon teas and bake sales to fundraisers, holiday celebrations, meetings, and volunteer activities, they'll be there, supporting their children's education in whatever way they can.

I'd love to know what it means to participate in the learning process of their children! For example, they'll get to know their kids really well, and learn all about their strengths and characteristics. The book tells the story of a parent who once said at a seminar, "My daughter is better at decoding than coding." Grossberg was really impressed by this, because it's such a detailed understanding! And there's more! They also act as senior advisors to their children, there for them when they need guidance to make decisions. For instance, when it comes to choosing a foreign language for their children, these parents will first have a chat among themselves. Then, they'll go to teachers, evaluators, and other people to discuss together. Finally, they'll make a decision. I'd love to know what's behind their decision! The book gives a great example of this with Mandarin. "Parents will think about whether learning Mandarin will give their kids a leg up in the future, especially when it comes to business."

In a nutshell, these Upper East Side parents are all about maintaining their own elegance in their daily lives, and they also put a lot of energy into their children. They're all trying their best to use the most effective and efficient methods they can to pave the way for their children, give them an advantage, and get them started on the "takeoff" from the starting line.

The book says that these parents are really determined and have great skills. Thanks to them, some children have successfully entered schools that are far beyond their abilities!

Children on the Upper East Side

It's so lovely to see how the children of the Upper East Side have been given all the love and support they need from the very start. It's no exaggeration to say that these kids were born with a silver spoon in their mouths!

So, what does their daily life look like for these children who seem to be born to win?

Next, let's hear Grossberg's observations of this lovely group of wealthy American children.

It goes without saying that these kids are well-off, since they're rich!

Grossberg remembers her first student here so clearly! She was a 15-year-old girl.

The little girl came running down the luxurious spiral staircase, covered in white carpet like a whirlwind, on the day they met. The young girl lived in a lovely duplex apartment on Park Avenue in New York. Grossberg was so impressed by how spotlessly clean it was that she used the adjective "spotlessly clean" to describe her impression of the place. There were white sofas, white shaggy carpets, and two adorable white miniature poodles with bows on their heads.

The young girl had two lovely Filipino maids, who kindly asked Grossberg if she wanted something to eat or drink before the tutoring session began.

Then she went to the little girl's room. The room also has a lovely, light, white color scheme, Grossberg says. Everything is so clean and white, except for the bed sheets and the writing chair cover, which are a pretty pink. Grossberg also noticed some lovely Limoges porcelain jewelry boxes and a beautiful crystal photo frame in the room. The photo frame is inlaid with a lovely photo of the little girl and her father at the Hampton Golf Tournament.

On that day, they had read a book together, called The Great Gatsby. In the book, there's this really lovely passage about the lavish parties Gatsby throws. It says that every Friday, a kind New York fruit dealer delivered five boxes of delicious oranges and lemons. Every Monday, the oranges and lemons were halved and drained of their juices, and then piled into small mountains. They were then carted away through the back door of his house.

Grossberg asked the little girl to take a moment and picture the scene for herself. As a result, the little girl said nonchalantly, "My parents had a party once, and the kitchen at home looked just like this."

The little girl wasn't trying to show off at all! She was just describing her everyday life. Of course, in her later career as a tutor, Grossberg would gradually get used to this. Often, there was a bit of a divide between her and the kids from richer backgrounds. They were two different people from two different worlds.

For example, Grossberg once chatted with her students about subway maintenance, but they asked her what it was. It turned out that the student had a personal driver and didn't usually take the subway, so she didn't understand what subway maintenance was. But Grossberg said that for folks in New York, subway maintenance is a totally normal thing. It's so unfortunate, but it's really quite common for office workers to be late for work because of subway maintenance.

Grossberg teaches writing, and sometimes she also gets headaches from her students' comments like, "Why don't you eat meat porridge?" She says her students don't realize that most kids don't get to collect $500 sneakers. And if students don't realize how special they are, it can be tough for them to write about certain topics.

After connecting with these families, Grossberg shared, "I realized that these New Yorkers don't need to work at all, unless they want to work."

Grossberg was delighted to discover that physical exercise is a really important part of these children's lives.

Take one of her students, for instance. Up at the crack of dawn, off to squash training. Then it's off to a private school for a day of classes. Back to squash after school, and finally home to do homework and tutoring.

And let me tell you, these kids also have some pretty amazing vacations!

The book also tells the story of another student of Grossberg's. This girl was taken by her parents to all kinds of exotic places from the very second her vacation started!

Once a year, they had the chance to visit Morocco, often enjoyed skiing in Utah, and even went on an eco-tour to Cambodia! She even got to cruise around the city on a Segway, shop at the local market, and stay in five-star hotels! On New Year's Eve, she watched the fireworks from a yacht in St. Barts. What a night to remember! She often bumped into old friends at Caribbean cocktail parties. Her skin was a healthy, gorgeous tan.

What Grossberg found most surprising was that this student had bought an entire wardrobe of new clothes for a holiday on the French Riviera. Grossberg said, "I've never thought about buying a whole new wardrobe for a single trip. It's so much! I don't know how she does it."

Up to this point, you might think that the lives of these children are very enviable. And you'd be right! They not only eat well, drink well, and live well, but they also have fun.

However, after spending a long time getting to know these kids, Grossberg realized there was another way to tell their stories.

Many children on the Upper East Side play squash, but they don't really enjoy it that much. Take the student we just mentioned, for example. She'd much rather be doing needlework than anything else! But she doesn't have time to do what she likes because squash is their ticket to a prestigious school.

Grossberg said that many children's lives are all about studying and sports. She gave the example of another student who, she said, makes the absolute most of every moment of the day! He was either playing tennis with a personal trainer, on his way to a tournament, or studying with a math tutor who had graduated from Yale.

It's also worth mentioning that many children end up with broken bones and other injuries because they overdo it with exercise. It's so important for parents and schools to be aware of this and to take these injuries seriously. With a warm smile, Grossberg said, Take a stroll down the halls of a private school in New York City, and you'll see a long line of crutches and casts. Some kids are so determined to get around that they've even become quite skilled at using them! They have a lovely "buddy system," with friends helping each other with their backpacks. You can often hear the sound of crutches clattering in the halls.

The book says that parents on the Upper East Side have an unusual obsession with prestigious schools. I've often wondered why going to a prestigious school is such an important thing. It's all about the return on investment in their eyes. If their child goes to an Ivy League school, it means that all that time and effort the parents put in has paid off! And this is exactly the capital that parents use to show off to each other, which is totally understandable!

On top of that, these well-off parents are also concerned about their kids' social status taking a hit.

The book says that these American elites live with a lot of anxiety. It's so sad! Even though their wealth is growing, they can't afford to relax for a second. They feel like they need to keep going at full speed, or they'll quickly fall behind. It's so sad - this kind of anxiety is also passed on to their children.

It's clear that these parents on the Upper East Side want to be involved in every aspect of their children's education so that everything goes well for them. It would make sense that children from wealthy families would be able to try out different paths and would be encouraged to pursue their ideal career. But Grossberg says that at least among the parents she's met, nine out of ten want their children to follow in their footsteps.

The book says that people here suffer from insomnia, and their children are no exception. It's so sad! These kids have such full schedules! It would make sense that the time after school would be enough to complete homework, right? But here's the thing. These kids also need to get some physical exercise after school, so they end up staying up late to finish their homework. Similarly, weekends are supposed to be a time for relaxation, but these children's weekends are likely to be filled with various tournaments, which is totally understandable! Grossberg said with a sad smile, "The pace of life for these young people is just like that of a CEO, and sleep has become a luxury they cannot afford."

It's so sad - Grossberg found that many of these children are not happy. It's no surprise that they often suffer from lack of sleep, anxiety, and even depression.

They feel like there's an empty space inside them. On the one hand, they have everything! They know important people, they've been to many countries, they can afford to indulge themselves, and they've enjoyed almost everything they can. But then, life can get a little dull and the days can feel a bit boring, as if there's nothing to look forward to. But on the other hand, they're constantly being told to keep going, not to stop, and they don't even have time to catch their breath, let alone think about their lives.

Grossberg talks about one of her students, saying that he "has no time to think." Once he's free from his parents and his jam-packed schedule, he throws himself into all kinds of "narcotics," bless his heart. By "narcotics," she's talking about all those exciting things that keep us busy, like video games and alcohol.

Grossberg said, "When I was a child, I used to lie in bed and stare at the ceiling, memorizing every single line on it. On summer afternoons, I would often read, sleep, or dream in my room. These kids, bless their hearts, just don't have the time or inclination to do so. "They're always on their phones, aren't they?"

When she looks at these students who just can't stop, Grossberg is always reminded of her own childhood. Grossberg said that back then, her parents would kindly urge her to go to bed after 10:30 p.m. They didn't want her to stay up late studying, and they understood that she had other things she wanted to do with her time.

But Upper East Side parents are different! She was surprised to find that many parents here allow their children to stay up late to study. They really push their kids hard, and some parents are so focused on their kids' grades that they don't pay much attention to other things. Sometimes, even though they know their children have psychological problems, they'll say, "My child is willing to go to a therapist, but the problem is that there's no time." It's so hard when you want to help your child but you just don't have the time!

Oh, no time! Oh my, no time at all! Oh, how we all wish we had more time! You know, Grossberg says that leisure is as rare as cellulite.

On top of all that, Grossberg noticed that the kids and their parents didn't have the best relationship. I'd love to know why this is so! Don't their parents spend so much time and energy on their children's upbringing? The book says that, even though they'd love to, their families don't have much time for dinner together. It's especially hard on the parents, who have to juggle so many after-school activities, which further takes up their parent-child time.

Grossberg is absolutely blown away by the lives of these children. She feels so sorry for them! She says, "I feel so sorry for how vulnerable they are and I'm just in awe of their temperament." They're like adorable teddy bear toys made by Prada: fluffy, cute, and oh-so-fashionable!

Reflections of a Kindhearted Observer

As she watches the lives of Upper East Side parents and children unfold, Grossberg finds herself constantly reflecting.

She says that the education of wealthy families on the Upper East Side has undoubtedly become a bit of an 'arms race', which seems a little irrational to her. Grossberg can't help but wonder, "Don't parents miss family time?" Or maybe they just want to take a little break in the afternoon to enjoy ketchup and fries? It's so sad - this generation of children is paying the price for this unbalanced life.

She also points out that if kids' lives are always planned out, they might not know how to handle boredom or loneliness. It's so sad! Their brains are used to receiving information from others or electronic devices, so they miss out on the chance to know themselves, dream, and have inspiration and epiphanies.

It's so sad - she found that every moment in these children's lives was a trade-off, either for a lucrative career or for the chance to marry someone rich.

She remembers one of her students in particular who, when choosing a university major, specifically looked for a major related to the real estate industry. At first, she thought the student was joking, but then she found out that it was true. Oh, dear! The student's parents were really hoping their child would enter the real estate industry and become a commercial real estate mogul. Grossberg said, "His view of college was completely transactional, which was really hard for me to understand."

Grossberg is reminded of that classic, The Great Gatsby. Do you remember that book we chatted about earlier, The Great Gatsby? Gatsby is the main character in that book, and he is also a man who lives his life with a transactional mindset. Even fun is part of the deal in Gatsby's world. Every party he throws is so well thought out and has a purpose he wants to achieve.

Gatsby and most of the kids Grossberg counsels don't know how to truly enjoy pleasure, she says. They get used to focusing their time and energy on specific goals. And when they lose these goals and need to make their own decisions, they can only escape into alcohol or video games. It's so sad!

Grossberg ponders the American dream: "The American dream is a bit of a tricky one these days, isn't it?" Money can make life dazzling, glamorous, and vibrant, but it can also lead young people into loneliness and lovelessness. "In the past, we were driven by a desire to achieve and make constant progress." "Maybe the new American dream can include personal satisfaction, too."

With a warm smile, Grossberg said, "I truly hope that students will have the freedom to think for themselves. And I'd love it if those with a flair for writing didn't all end up on Wall Street." I would absolutely love to attend the book launch of my former students, but it hasn't happened yet.

All right, now for the main event! This is the heart of the book, "I Left My Homework in the Hamptons: I'm so happy to introduce you to "What I Learned Teaching the Children of the 1%."

As I've been introducing this book to you, I've been thinking: What would I love to share with you?

It's clear that the life described in the book is very different from mine. I've never had the privilege of living such a charmed life! On the other hand, my parents also valued education, but they didn't push me as hard as some other kids. I didn't have as many tutoring classes as some of my friends. But for some reason, when reading the stories in the book, I still felt a strong connection, you know?

Later on, I finally figured out where my empathy comes from.

I used to be someone who just kept going and going! I wasn't pushed by anyone, but I was always pushing myself hard. I would set one goal after another and then go after them with all my heart. Luckily, the results were pretty good! But, oh my, it did come at a price! I often felt anxious and even panicked in those days.

I was always afraid that I wouldn't be able to keep up and that I'd be left behind. At that time, I also often told myself, "I don't have time," "I don't have time" to play, "I don't have time" to see a doctor, "I don't have time" to fall in love.

One day, I was standing on my balcony in the wind, and it suddenly hit me that I was so focused on my studies and work that I didn't even notice the weather! All my joy came from the amazing things I had achieved and the wonderful awards I had won. To me, life was just a form of entertainment, and I was so tired that I would choose to relax. But that didn't mean I could find any joy in life. On the other hand, taking a break was just a way to recharge and get ready for the next thing on my list. I guess you could say that I was kind of treating pleasure as a kind of "trade-off."

I suddenly had this feeling that was pretty scary.

That Spring Festival, I went back to my hometown and saw my younger siblings. They were carefree, happy, and confident. I realized that happiness in life didn't need to be achieved through the intermediary of "getting ahead." When I was at school, I was always motivated by the praise of being "promising," but unintentionally, I was also kidnapped by it.

Before that, I felt that happiness required a lot of preconditions. After that, I discovered that happiness didn't seem so difficult, and I suddenly felt so free.