Not wanting their kids to become absorbed in to a celebrity lifestyle, these 5 celebrities want their kids to have a normal work ethic and goals that they want to achieve in their own lives. Rather than just living off their inheritance and never working a day, these 5 stars want their sons and daughters to win at life on their own terms and also have a more normal world view.
Ewan refuses to spoil his children: “I’m sorry but when you’re 12 you don’t need a new mobile phone every few months just because a new one comes out,” says Ewan. I’m not going to buy her the latest phone, I’m not going to buy her an iPod every time one comes out and I’m definitely not going to buy her a pony.As a result, my kids don’t want for very much. They’re not greedy. They’re wonderful, wonderful children. I see a lot of kids getting whatever they want. But saying No helps. That’s what parents don’t understand. If you want to produce really horrible, obnoxious kids, say Yes to them all the time.”
Jennifer tries to teach her kids about how the world really is: “I’m like, ‘You realize that you don’t just throw food out — we eat food and if we don’t want it, we don’t ask for it.’ I’m always trying to put that in their minds. We’re in a different position and we have to be more giving.”
Simon Cowell
Simon wants his son Eric to work and make his way in the world: ”I never inherited anything in my life, and everything I have I had to earn. But I think that’s what made me enjoy my life more. I want my son to feel like he’s got to prove his own way and I’d like to do what my dad did for me.”
Sting
Sting doesn’t want his kids to inherit a huge fortune: “My generation all assumed we would have a better standard of living. The one that we spawned cannot assume that. With my children there is great wealth, success – a great shadow over them – so it’s no picnic at all being my child. I discuss that with them; it’s tough for them. I told them there won’t be much money left because we are spending it! We have a lot of commitments. What comes in we spend, and there isn’t much left. I certainly don’t want to leave them trust funds that are albatrosses round their necks. They have to work. All my kids know that and they rarely ask me for anything, which I really respect and appreciate.”
Victoria wants her children to work to achieve their goals: “I don’t have to work, I need to work. But I have a good work ethic. David has an incredible work ethic. I want my kids to have a good work ethic. I believe you can achieve anything if you work hard enough to get it.”
