Kristin Cavallari stirred debate after revealing that she flies first class while her children sit in coach during family trips. The former reality star said the arrangement is intentional because she wants her kids to understand that financial privileges are earned, not guaranteed.
The parenting confession came during a conversation about raising grounded children despite growing up with wealth. Cavallari said teaching responsibility has always been more important than giving her children everything they want.
Kristin Cavallari said her children fly coach because she wants them to understand that privileges should be earned rather than expected
Speaking on the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast, Cavallari explained her parenting philosophy. She said that it centers on helping her children appreciate the value of money. “I really value how my mom raised me with money,” Cavallari said. “My kids don’t just get whatever they want. And if they want something, they have to work for it.”
She pointed to her sons, Camden and Jaxon, as examples, revealing they started their own businesses last summer. “One of my boys was washing windows… and the other one was washing people’s garbage cans because if they want something, they got to go work for it. They got to make it happen,” she said.
That mindset also extends to family travel. Cavallari said that once her children were old enough, she stopped booking them seats beside her in first class.
“They are growing up in a very fortunate situation and I want them to know this is my money. This is not your money,” she said. “Something as small as they fly coach [while] I’m flying in first class, that was important to me when they became old enough.”
When host Emma Grede asked whether separating from her children on flights was difficult, Cavallari did not affirm. She said, “No, it’s not, when they’re older! I’m all, ‘Bye bye, guys! Have fun back there!’”
She added that she used to keep the children close when they were younger. This was because she worried they would argue during flights. Now, she believes the experience helps build independence.
“I think it’s little things like that as a parent that ultimately make a big difference in the long run,” Cavallari added.
The conversation came weeks after Jessica Simpson addressed similar criticism after Nick Lachey revealed on Watch What Happens Live that her children had flown in a different cabin during a family trip. Simpson later explained that her mother had purchased those tickets.
Cavallari said her priority remains raising hardworking children, even if it means making parenting decisions that spark debate.
TELL US – DO YOU AGREE WITH KRISTIN CAVALLARI’S APPROACH TO HAVING HER KIDS FLY COACH WHILE SHE SITS IN FIRST CLASS?
