My five-year-old has had an allowance for a while now. She earns $2 a week for feeding the dog and tidying her room. It’s heartwarming to witness her transformation in how she perceives money and the allure of toys or treats at the store. Recently, she saved up around $20, and when we went to the store to explore her options, she suddenly became *incredibly* discerning. It was amazing to see her weighing each item, recognizing that nothing felt truly worth her hard-earned chore money. And to be honest, it warmed my heart!
In the end, we came home empty-handed, but my daughter decided to save even more. It’s a slow process, but I genuinely enjoy teaching her about the value of honest work and the significance of money.
You know, even celebrities can relate to these everyday parenting lessons! Take Ben Affleck, for instance. There’s a new clip making the rounds online that perfectly captures this dynamic. In it, Affleck shares a candid moment with his son, who was eager to buy an outrageously priced pair of sneakers—$6,000 Nike Air Dior shoes, to be exact. Affleck is earning major parenting points for his refreshingly straightforward approach!
In this clip featured on *Today with Jenna & Friends*, Affleck and his 13-year-old son Samuel (whom he shares with ex-wife Jennifer Garner) are browsing some sneakers when Samuel expresses his desire for those pricey kicks. Affleck chuckles, responding, “That’s a lot of lawns you’ve got to mow there! You like those because they’re expensive…”
Samuel, defending his choice, insists, “No, they’re tough! I always said they look good!” But when the conversation shifts, and Samuel asserts, “We have the money,” Affleck retorts with a playful, “I have the money! You’re broke!” Suddenly, the idea of working for those shoes makes them seem a whole lot less desirable. Isn’t it interesting how that works?
When asked about the clip during an appearance on *Today*, guest host Andy Cohen, Affleck doubled down on his point, saying, “Those sneakers are $6,000! What are you talking about? What are you going to do, mow lawns?” He further reflected on the balance of parenthood, stating, “You love your kids and want to do everything for them, but I think you do them a disservice by not connecting the dots: ‘If you want something meaningful, you have to work for that.’”
The audience resonated with Affleck’s candidness, and the comments flooded in. One viewer remarked, “‘I’m rich, you’re not,’ is actually a great way to raise your children.” Another chimed in, “THIS. I grew up in a very wealthy family. We enjoyed the perks that came with that money… but it was NOT our money. We learned to work for OUR OWN.”
As parents, we all grapple with these moments, balancing our desire to provide for our children with the important lessons about effort and value. It’s these inspiring stories that remind us we’re not alone in the journey of raising thoughtful, grounded kids who appreciate the hard work behind every purchase.
Image Source: Ben Affleck @ Instagram
