I agree with your sentiment, but I would add two caveats: 1) Its not obvious, and hard to predict, when something one enjoys would actually make an satisfying career. Many find that turning passions into means-to-put-food-on-the-table kills the passion, or warps it. 2) Its not obvious, and hard to predict, how the mental and physical health hit will be from a "financially challenging life". Some are fine scraping by, but on average, being financially insecure is highly correlated with depression, suicide, anxiety, substance abuse issues, divorce, etc etc.

All that to say, its good to be as realistic as possible with children, and as another suggested not only focus on high time frame decisions, and as you suggested avoid casting things as merely financial decisions.