What's Happening?
JJ Redick, coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, and his wife Chelsea have implemented a unique tradition for their children, requiring them to write persuasive essays to earn their biggest Christmas gifts. This year, their sons Kai and Knox participated in the exercise. Kai, aged 9, successfully argued for a Meta VR headset, while Knox, aged 11, received an Apple watch. The Redicks, who lost their home in a wildfire last January, have been rebuilding their lives and instilling values of effort and reward in their children.
Why It's Important?
This approach by the Redick family underscores the importance of teaching children the value of effort and articulation in achieving their desires. By requiring their children to write essays, the Redicks are fostering skills such
as critical thinking, writing, and persuasion, which are valuable in both academic and personal development. Additionally, this tradition reflects a broader cultural shift towards encouraging children to earn their rewards, rather than receiving them unconditionally. For the Redick family, this practice also serves as a way to instill resilience and adaptability, especially in the wake of losing their home to a wildfire.
