Raising Kids Who Aren’t Assholes: A Holiday Season Reflection

Let’s be real: I don’t care if my kids are the smartest in the room, the most athletic, or the ones with the most accolades. I just want them to not be assholes.

I want them to be kind. To have empathy. To notice when someone else is hurting and to care enough to do something about it—even if it’s small. I want them to grow up knowing that their actions matter, that giving back isn’t reserved for grand gestures, and that being a good human starts with how you treat the people around you.

The truth is, our kids don’t really want for much. We’ve worked hard to give them the world, and in many ways, we’ve succeeded. But with that privilege comes a responsibility—to help them understand that not everyone is as lucky. That comfort and security aren’t universal. That gratitude isn’t just a feeling, it’s a practice.

This holiday season, we’re leaning into that practice. We’ll be showing our kids—and hopefully inspiring other families—how to give back in simple, tangible ways:

These aren’t revolutionary acts. But they’re real. They’re accessible. And they’re powerful when done with intention.

We’re not perfect parents. But we’re trying. Trying to raise kids who see beyond themselves. Who understand that kindness isn’t weakness. That empathy is strength. That giving—even when it’s small—is always worth it.

So here’s to a season of showing up. Of modeling what it means to care. Of raising kids who grow into adults we’d actually want to be around.

Because at the end of the day, that’s the goal.