re: The tortoise and hare approach to life

How much are you enabling your daughter though?

It sounds like you are comfortable financially, own your own business. I bet your daughter has never wanted for anything. I bet you've given her every gift and material thing she ever asked for. She's probably spoiled rotten and doesn't appreciate hard work or the value thereof.

It's such a common pattern it's not even funny. Guys like you bust your asses to make it in the world. Your hard work pays off and you become successful. Then you go on to not teach ANY of that to your kids by spoiling them and "giving them the things you never had".

I've got relatives on both sides that have done this.

My parents were poor as hell when I was little. My dad was a school teacher and my mom stayed home. Over time dad changed careers and has retired with more money than he'll ever spend. But those early years were formative for me and many times I was told "no you can't have that, we don't have the money. If you want it, cut some lawns and wash some cars."

She's 15 so it's too late probably. You better just hope she lands a rich dude willing to put up with her.