I went to an international school in Asia that attracted many kids with very wealthy parents, most of whom would get dropped off by their chauffeur in a brand-new Mercedes. I was there on a scholarship, and we were a working-class family.

I never understood why my mom would take me to school at 6 am, long before anyone else arrived, and park the car far away behind a big tree. She’d just say it was good to exercise before school. Years later, I discovered the truth. She was embarrassed about our little Mitsubishi and didn’t want the other kids to see it and pick on me for being less wealthy. Her actions were her way of protecting me, even though it meant hiding our struggles.