Sir Elton John, 76, raises his two sons not to be spoiled as they already do chores for some pocket money

David Furnish, Sir Elton John’s spouse, and they have been together for more than 20 years. The couple is also raising their two boys, Zackary and Elijah, to be modest and aware of the worth of money.

Famed artist Sir Elton John has released thirty-two albums to far and shows no signs of slowing down. Even at seventy-three, the vocalist continues to be in high demand.

Sir Elton John and David Furnish in London in 2001 | Source: Getty Images

David Furnish and Sir Elton John in London in 2001 | Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Despite having a successful career for more than thirty years, the musician wants to concentrate on other areas of his life, such as his marriage to David Furnish and his two sons, Zachary and Elijah.

A brief romance blossomed between John and Furnish in 1993, before their lives got consumed with parenting their sons. The singer of “Sacrifice” announced that he had moved back into his Windsor home and was looking to socialize.

John then requested a friend to invite Furnish and other individuals to dinner, saying he felt an immediate connection with Furnish. John admired how well-groomed and reserved he was.

After going on a date the next day, the two’s long-term relationship officially started. After nine years of being in a civil partnership, they made the decision to tie the knot in 2014.

The pair used Instagram to send out invites. The highlight of the day was spending time with their sons, who had the important duty of serving as ring carriers.

Furnish and John found great joy in sharing their partnership with their children, particularly considering the difficult road they had to go to become parents. It all began in 2009 when they were acquainted at an HIV orphanage with a young boy from Ukraine named Lev.

Lev came from a shattered family, so the couple wanted to help him, but the government wouldn’t let it because he was too old. Still, the couple assisted Lev and spoke with him.

John came to the realization that he may be a father after meeting Lev. He acknowledged that he had always believed he was too old to have children. Zachary, their first son, was born in 2010 through a surrogate, and Elijah followed in 2013.

Bringing Up Children Outside of the Media
The couple desired to be actively involved with their children while leading a hectic lifestyle. “We don’t want to entrust housekeepers and nannies with raising our kids,” Furnish stated. The couple decided that having boys was the best course of action, and now their primary objective is to raise their sons in a happy and healthy environment.

John expressed to his sons in a touching letter how much they had altered his life. “You two are the best gifts I have ever received, Zachary and Elijah. In ways I never imagined imaginable, you have given my life meaning and purpose and filled my heart with love,” the singer added.

Furnish and John are content with the lovely family they have created. The love and support their children will always have from their parents is something they do not want them to forget as they grow older.

John talked candidly about how becoming a parent has altered his outlook on life and some of the values he and his spouse want their kids to grow up with.

John talked about how having children affected his attitude toward money. Having two children of his own now, he values his time with Zachary and Elijah more than a popular song or artwork.

The singer acknowledged that because he and Furnish were used to living as the center of attention, they had spent a lot of money before having children. However, John claimed that since their sons arrived, they had drastically cut back on their spending.

The couple’s current concern is ensuring that they own only what they require. Additionally, the couple has been instilling in their kids the importance of money and the labor required to acquire it.

Although John is aware that his kids have a privileged existence already, he still wishes they had humility. The artist has stated that he does not intend to leave them his whole estate as a result. Rather, he aims to strike a balance between providing his kids with a wonderful life and keeping them grounded. He thought to himself:

Naturally, I would like to leave my boys in a very secure financial situation. But giving children a silver spoon is a poor idea. Their lives is ruined by it.

John has attempted to instill in the boys an appreciation for money since they were young children. Zachary and Elijah may not have realized how well-known their parents were at the age of five and three, but John and Furnish did teach them a valuable lesson about budgeting.

The singer said in 2016 that doing chores around the house, such the kitchen or garden, would earn them £3 ($3.74) in pocket money. Each coin would then be divided between savings, spending, and charity. As they grew older, their responsibilities included tidying their rooms, and they received stars for each task completed.

Although the couple is aware that their children would not have a typical childhood, they nevertheless make an effort to give their lives some degree of normalcy. According to John, his children are “not stuck behind the gates of a mansion,” but rather live like locals.

When questioned if he was afraid of having his kids in the spotlight, he replied that he knew there would be drawbacks but that he didn’t mind at all because he thought people were “brilliant” and “not hostile,” especially when they wanted to see pictures of him and his family.

The musician and his spouse would take their kids to the movies or out for pizza because they want them to spend quality time with their family somewhere else than their mansion.

Because of his celebrity, John does not want to miss out on special times with his kids. The musician is also prompt in picking up and dropping off his youngsters at school.

Elton John Flaunts His Offspring
The “Rocket Man” singer posted a unique picture of Furnish, their sons, and their godmother, Lady Gaga, on social media, while John and his spouse typically don’t post any pictures of their sons online. The musician conveyed his love despite expressing his regret at missing the opportunity to picture with them.

Comment on Elton John's page | Source: Instagram/eltonjohn

On Elton John’s page, leave a remark | Source: Instagram/eltonjohn
Fans expressed disbelief at Zachary and Elijah’s growth in the comment section. “However, the boys are growing quite tall.” Very attractive tiny fellas, a commenter commented. Another admirer exclaimed, “Look at these gorgeous boys and their pappa and Godma!”

John expressed to his sons in a touching letter how much they had altered his life. “You two are the best gifts I have ever received, Zachary and Elijah. In ways I never imagined imaginable, you have given my life meaning and purpose and filled my heart with love,” the singer added.

Furnish and John are content with the lovely family they have created. The love and support their children will always have from their parents is something they do not want them to forget as they grow older.

My Kids Said They Wished I Never Existed, and the Next Day Their Wish Came True — Story of the Day

My kids told me they wished I didn’t exist, and those words cut deeper than anything I’d ever heard. They were angry, careless—but I decided to take their wish seriously. I vanished from their lives, leaving no trace. It was time they learned what life would be like without Mom.

I’d heard it countless times—people saying housewives had it easy. They stayed home, relaxed, and lived off their husbands’ hard work. What a joke!

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Let me tell you, my being a stay-at-home mom wasn’t just a job; it was an endless marathon with no breaks. My days were a blur of cleaning, cooking, managing tantrums, and juggling a thousand other things.

Tom, my sweet but stubborn five-year-old, was at that age where every little thing was a battle.

Eliza, on the other hand, was teetering on the edge of her pre-teen years—full of sass and mood swings.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

And my husband, Justin? He thought his paycheck excused him from everything else. It was exhausting.

That evening, as usual, we sat down for dinner together. Sharing our day had become a routine, though it often came with surprises.

I looked at Tom, who was already playing with his peas. “Tom, how was preschool today?” I asked, trying to sound cheerful.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

He shrugged. “It was okay, but Miss Jackson might call you tomorrow.”

That caught my attention. “Why would she call me?” I asked, putting down my fork.

“I just wanted to pet a dog outside, but Miss Jackson said you shouldn’t touch stray dogs because they can have rab—rabai—” Tom paused, frowning.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Rabies,” Eliza said with an exaggerated eye roll.

Tom nodded. “Yeah, rabies.”

I leaned forward. “And why does that mean she might call me?”

Tom hesitated, then blurted, “Well, I didn’t like what she said, so I bit her.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I stared at him, shocked. “You bit your teacher?” My voice rose without meaning to.

Tom nodded, completely unbothered. “She said rabies spreads by bites. I wanted to show her.”

“Mom, you gave birth to a lunatic,” Eliza muttered, smirking.

“Don’t talk about your brother like that,” I said firmly. Then I turned to Justin, who was busy eating. “Justin, do you have anything to say about this?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

He glanced up briefly. “You’re handling it great, honey,” he said, patting my hand.

I sighed, turning back to Tom. “Tom, we’ve talked about this. You can’t bite people. It hurts, and it’s wrong. Next time, use words to express how you feel.”

Finally, I faced Eliza. “How was your day?”

“Fine,” she said, barely looking up.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“That’s all?” I asked.

“Oh, I’m sleeping over at Nancy’s tomorrow, remember?” she added casually.

“Yes, I remember,” I said, feeling my energy drain.

The next day started badly and only got worse. When I went into Tom’s room to check if he had cleaned up like I’d asked, it looked like a tornado had hit it.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Toys, clothes, and books were everywhere. I felt my patience slipping, but there wasn’t time to deal with it.

I had to apologize to Miss Jackson for Tom biting her, which was embarrassing enough.

Then, as I finally sat down to breathe, the phone rang. Eliza’s school informed me she had skipped classes. My anger boiled over. By the time they got home, I was ready for a serious talk.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Wait, both of you, stop right there,” I said as Tom and Eliza headed to their rooms. My voice made them freeze.

“What is it now?” Eliza asked, sounding irritated.

“Let’s start with Tom,” I said, turning to him. “I saw your room. It’s a disaster. We agreed that if you didn’t keep it clean, I’d take away your games. So, your console is mine until you show me you can keep your room tidy.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Tom’s eyes went wide. “What? No! That’s not fair!” he yelled, crossing his arms.

Eliza smirked. “Nice job, Tom,” she said with a mocking tone.

“I wouldn’t laugh if I were you, young lady,” I snapped. “I got a call from your school today. They told me you skipped class.”

“It was one time! Just one!” Eliza shouted, her face red with anger.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“You’re grounded for a week,” I said firmly. “No sleepover at Nancy’s.”

“You can’t do this! ‘’ve been planning that forever!” Eliza screamed, clenching her fists.

“Then you shouldn’t have skipped class,” I replied calmly.

“I hate you! I wish you didn’t exist!” she yelled before stomping off to her room and slamming the door.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Yeah! Me too!” Tom shouted, running to his own room.

I stood there, tears welling up. My chest felt heavy, but I swallowed the lump in my throat.

When Justin got home, I recounted everything. He listened quietly, barely responding.

“Well?” I asked, desperate for some support.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Maybe you were too hard on them,” he said, shrugging. “They’re just kids.”

“Did you hear me? Did you hear what Eliza said to me?” I asked, my voice shaking with anger.

“She didn’t mean it,” he said, brushing it off.

“I’ve had enough,” I said, my voice cold. “I’ll show them what it’s like when I’m not here.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“What are you talking about?” Justin asked, confused.

“You’ll see,” I said and walked away.

That night, as the house lay silent, I began my plan. Justin, always a heavy sleeper, didn’t stir once.

I moved quietly, gathering every single thing that was mine—clothes from the closet, photos from the walls, notebooks from the desk.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Even my favorite mug, the one I used every morning, went into a box. I left no sign that I had ever been there.

With everything packed, I carried it all up to the attic. The attic was dusty and cramped, but I set up a mattress in the corner, arranging a small lamp and a blanket. Justin wouldn’t think to look here; he barely remembered the attic existed.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Before settling in, I set up cameras in the kitchen and living room. I needed to see how they managed without me. This was only the beginning.

The next morning, I watched them from the camera feed as they stood in the kitchen, looking lost.

“Where’s Mom?” Tom asked, his voice unsure.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I don’t know,” Eliza said, glancing around. “But even her pictures are gone. The ones on the wall, too.”

“Her clothes aren’t in the closet,” Justin added, scratching his head.

Tom’s eyes widened. “Did our wish come true? Did Mom really disappear?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Justin said, shaking his head.

“But she’s really gone!” Eliza insisted. “Her stuff isn’t here. There’s no sign of her at all.”

Justin pulled out his phone. “I’ll call her. This is probably some kind of joke.” But I had turned my phone off. He stared at the screen for a moment before putting it back in his pocket.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Okay, let’s go,” he said, sounding annoyed. “I’ll drop you off at school. We’ll figure this out later.”

Eliza hesitated. “Can I still go to Nancy’s sleepover?”

“Yes, yes. Just get in the car,” Justin said impatiently.

“Yes!” Eliza cheered. Then she grinned. “Maybe it’s better this way. Mom was always on my case anyway.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“That means I can play video games!” Tom shouted, jumping up.

I felt my chest tighten. My heart ached as I watched them. They didn’t miss me; they seemed relieved. They were happy I was gone.

That evening, I watched from the camera as Justin and Tom sat on the couch, laughing and playing video games.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

A pizza box sat open on the coffee table, grease stains already soaking into the cardboard.

I noticed Tom eating a big slice loaded with cheese. My stomach tightened. He was lactose intolerant. Justin, distracted by the game, had clearly forgotten.

The next morning, my fears were confirmed. Tom was curled up on the couch, pale and groaning.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Justin scrambled to find medicine, muttering under his breath. He ended up staying home from work, trying to comfort Tom while also cleaning up the mess.

By the third day, chaos ruled. Dishes piled up in the sink, laundry was untouched, and the kids left for school with nothing but dry cereal in their hands.

That evening, Tom sat crying on the couch, overwhelmed. Even Eliza, who usually stayed distant, looked defeated. Her hair was a mess as she clutched her empty lunchbox.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I miss Mom,” Tom finally said, looking up at Justin. His little face was streaked with tears, and his lip trembled.

“Me too,” Eliza added, her voice quieter than usual. She looked down at her hands. “I got my period today, and I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to call Mom so bad, but I couldn’t. It made me feel awful.”

Justin sighed, leaning back on the couch. “I think this is because of what you both said. You told her you didn’t want her to exist. Now she’s showing you what that feels like.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“But that’s not true!” Eliza said, her voice cracking. Tears filled her eyes. “I was just mad. I didn’t mean it. I’m so stupid for saying that.”

Tom sniffled loudly. “I want Mom to come back. I’ll clean my room every day. I won’t bite anyone ever again. I promise.”

Eliza wiped her face and nodded. “I’ll stop yelling at her. I’ll listen better. I can’t live without her. I miss her so much,” she said, sobbing.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Hearing their words broke the last bit of resolve I had. I stepped out of the shadows, standing in the doorway. “I hope you’ve learned your lesson,” I said, my voice firm but full of emotion.

They turned to me in shock before running into my arms. “Mom! You’re back!” they cried, hugging me tightly.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Really, it’s so good to see you,” Justin said, standing and walking over. “These past few days have shown me what a monumental job you do. I’ll try to make things easier for you from now on.”

“Thank you,” I said, my voice soft.

“No, thank you, for everything,” Justin replied.

“Thank you, Mom! We love you so much!” the kids said together, holding on tight.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

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