Celebrity won't spoil my kids, says Ewan McGregor
GOING against the trend of celebrities who indulge their offspring’s every whim, Ewan McGregor has spoken of his strict approach to parenting which he feels will ensure his three children don’t turn into spoiled brats.
“Giving kids whatever they want is disastrous parenting. There’s no sense of something earned,” argues the 37-year-old Scot, whose films include Star Wars and Trainspotting.
Despite their riches, Ewan and his wife Eve have resolved not to pamper their two girls, Clara, 12, and seven-year-old Esther or their adopted seven-year-old daughter, Jamiyan.
“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.”
Family man Ewan misses his wife and children when he is away on location or completing one of his round-the-world motorbike treks.
He and his wife are proud that their children are so well adjusted.
“We’ve worked hard to keep them insulated from all the celebrity stuff and they are quite ‘unbothered’ by what I do,” adds Ewan.
“What they care about is what all kids care about: their friends, feeling safe, feeling loved and being free to express who they are.
“We’ve set good boundaries for them. Manners, being polite – those are aspects that are overlooked by parents these days and I think they are essential.”
Quite right, too.
