Billionaire Jack Ma wants his children to be just average students.

Millions of people around the world are inspired to start their own businesses by billionaire Jack Ma, the founder of the giant Alibaba company, but few know that his parenting style is also worth considering.

Jack Ma married his wife, Zhang Ying, shortly after they graduated from university in 1988. The couple has three children, two daughters and one son. Information about the two daughters rarely appears in the press, and while there is some information about their son, Jerry Yang, it is scarce and always sparks curiosity.

In an interview with Celebritychina, Zhang Ying made some "shocking" revelations about her husband's parenting style. She said: "Our son should be considered a 'victim' of Alibaba. He was born in 1992, the year we started our business. Back then, our house was an office always crowded with more than 30 people, full of noise and cigarette smoke."

"My son stays in his room all day. He eats, plays, and enjoys himself while we work. The older he gets, the more he resembles his father, thin and small like a matchstick, only his head is big."

In the early days of Alibaba, Jack Ma and his wife were so engrossed in their work that they neglected their children.

From the age of four, Jerry spent five days a week in boarding school and was only picked up on weekends. By the time his business stabilized, he was ten years old, but by then he had become engrossed in video games and addicted. He would stay out all night hanging out with his friends.

Once, when his son was 12 years old, Jack Ma reminded him of something, but he was stunned by the boy's words: "Mom and Dad aren't home, and when they come home, it's just work. Even if I'm home, I'm still all alone."

Realizing his mistake, Jack Ma resolved to correct it.That very night, he told his wife—who was then the director of Alibaba's headquarters in China: "You should resign. This family needs you more than Alibaba. Leaving Alibaba will only cost you a little income, but if you don't come home, our son will be ruined, and no amount of money can save him." After a lengthy discussion, he gave her a choice: "Our son and money, choose one, which do you want?"

Zhang Ying felt like she was being used as a "pawn" by her husband. Previously, she only wanted to be a teacher, content with her life, taking care of her husband and raising her children, but he dragged her into Alibaba. After enduring countless hardships to achieve success, her husband now told her to quit. However, like her husband, she recognized her son's problem and eventually gave in.

Jack Ma was born in 1964 to poor but loving parents who were artists. Therefore, when he realized he lacked love for his son, he rectified his mistakes. This is a rare photo released of him with his son.

Alongside this, Jack Ma was also determined to help his son overcome his gaming addiction. One summer evening, he gave the boy 200 yuan (approximately 700,000 VND) and told him to spend all the money on games, provided that when he returned, he could explain the benefits of playing games.

Jerry took the money and went out to play. After three days, the 12-year-old boy returned looking utterly disheveled. The first thing he did was eat ravenously and then collapse into sleep. When his father asked him why, he said, "I was so tired and sleepy, and hungry, and I felt uncomfortable all over, so I didn't see any benefit in it."

Hearing that, Jack Ma said sternly, "So, you still want to play more? Not enough? Do you want to go home yet?" The boy was speechless.

Since resigning, sheZhang Ying becameShe's a full-time housewife. She cooks breakfast and eats it with her son. Afterwards, she goes to the market to buy groceries, cooks delicious meals, and brings them to the school gate for him.His father's attention and his mother's love and care helped Jerry successfully overcome his gaming addiction.

Six months after his father's guidance, Jerry leaped to 17th place in his class. His teacher said that Jerry not only had better grades but had also become more sociable, outgoing, cheerful, and tolerant.

Jack Ma once said that his wife has provided a great deal of support for his career and family.

In the bookJack Ma's Internal Speeches: Trust in Tomorrow,This richest billionaire in Asia (according to statistics from April 2016) shared his views on education:"I often tell my child that they don't need to be in the top 3 of their class; average grades are fine, as long as their diploma isn't too bad. The reason is that being an average student gives them more free time to learn other skills."

Jack Ma's views may seem contrary to those of parents not only in China but also in Vietnam. However, according to the billionaire, in a rapidly developing global economy, each individual needs to be a well-rounded person.

Drawing from his own experience, he explains that Alibaba became one of the world's most successful companies despite not being a good student (Jack Ma had to take the university entrance exam three times before getting in). He also cites many other examples of people who were successful without being academically gifted.

When his son turned 18, this father wrote him a letter before letting him go off to a new place on his own. In the letter, he conveyed three things to his son:

- Firstly, always think for yourself and judge independently.

ButSecondly, always maintain an optimistic spirit – there are many problems in the world, but there must surely be solutions.

ButThird, be honest, especially with your father.

According to the limited information available, the billionaire's only son is studying at the University of Berkeley (USA).The achievements and mysteries surrounding this billionaire have always fascinated his fans.

According to VNE