I was told I was smart and I worked hard. Country living left no room for insecurities about losing what was special about my identity. When I didn't do the math homework it wasn't because I didn't want to be discovered as a simpler person than other told me I was, it was because I was busy hacking away at some silly QBASIC code. Even playing Civilization or making minor explosives, I learned more there than a year long of "Egyptian History" in grade 6. Teach your kids to be independent, smart, kind, and get 'em to do at least 10 hours of chores a week and they'll be fine.