Shaquille O’Neal has on several occasions ascribed the credit of his massive success to the tough parenting style of his father, Phillip A. Harrison. Harrison had served as a drill sergeant in the military and infused in Shaq the work ethic and discipline required to perform at the highest level and win Championships. However, Shaq has a unique approach to parenting, different than most people. While he tries to adopt elements of his father’s toughness in his parenting style, he also likes to spoil his kids on certain occasions. Four years before Shaq shocked people with the ‘we ain’t rich’ speech, he surprised Hollywood star Mila Kunis on the Jimmy Kimmel show by bragging about his ‘Shaq’a Claus’ tendencies.
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In 2021, Shaq appeared on the ‘Earn Your Leisure’ podcast to talk about how he amassed a massive empire through smart investments and lucrative deals. While talking about his immense wealth, the Diesel made it clear that his money is not a default safety net for his kids to fall back on. “I tell them[his kids] all the time, ‘We ain’t rich, I’m rich,'” he declared, prompting everyone to burst out in laughter.
Shaq to his kids: “We ain’t rich, I’m rich.”
Teaching them work ethic. 💪
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 27, 2021
However, Shaq seemed serious about his conditions. He revealed that his kids would have to earn degrees and open up companies to avail his wealth. And in any case, money will be provided to them as investment for their projects, not as hand outs.
Shaquille O’Neal surprised Mila Kunis with his parenting style
Four years before his monologue on the ‘Earn Your Leisure’ podcast, Shaquille O’Neal displayed a drastically different outlook on parenting. In 2017, Shaq hosted an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live and ran the whole show in the absence of Kimmel. Mila Kunis appeared as a guest on that episode and the two had a long chit-chat on a wide array of topics.
The conversation slowly veered to Christmas and Shaq confronted Kunis with the claim he had read somewhere that she and her husband, Ashton Kutcher, do not gift their kids anything on Christmas. Kunis clarified the rumors, saying, “Of course, I buy my kids gifts. I’m not anti-gifts. I just don’t over-gift my child because…”
The popular actress’ explanation was intercepted by a loud gasp of despair from the big man. “I’m Shaq’a Claus. So if you want me to get your kids some gifts,” Shaq taunted Kunis, who then proceeded to ask him about his gifting strategy for his kids. “EverythingTheyWant.com,” the Lakers legend declared, leaving Kunis shocked.
Shaq further explained that he likes to spoil his six kids with everything in the world. A mic was then given to Shaq’s daughter, Me’Arah in the audience, who admitted that she just got an iPhone from her father. A thoroughly defeated Kunis then tried to plead her case, explaining that she doesn’t over-gift because her daughter’s grandparents shower her with gifts anyway.
Shaq likes to go overboard to make his kids happy
Even though Shaq has high expectations for his kids, he likes to spoil them too, especially his daughters. The same year he confronted Mila Kunis on the Jimmy Kimmel show, Shaq spent a staggering $100,000 for his daughter, Amirah’s birthday bash.
He also bought her a $122,000 Mercedes to top it all off. However, Shaq is very particular about setting standards for his kids. So that they never become entitled and stop working hard for themselves.
