Alicia Keys only ever lets her children buy one item at the toy shop to teach them the value of money
![Alicia Keys has revealed how she limits the number of toys she buys her children to teach them the "value of money and gratitude" [Image: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Ts5Zrk4ex5IKY_olRlhEyg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02NzY-/https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2020-02/e3353cf0-4b2d-11ea-b4fc-9e3511255815)
As a multi-platinum-selling artist, it is likely Alicia Keys isn’t exactly short on funds.
However, the singer, 39, has revealed she limits the number of toys she buys her children because she wants to raise them to understand the value of money and have gratitude.
Speaking to The Sunday Times’ Style magazine, the mum-of-two explained how she is a stricter parent than rapper husband Swiss Beatz, 41, to their young sons Egypt, nine, and Genesis, five.
Giving an example, she noted that at the toy shop she’ll only let her kids buy one item, even if they want more.
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Alicia said: “We talk a lot about wealth. What makes you wealthy? Definitely not money.
“It’s a distraction. Don’t matter if you have a billion dollars. You don’t have your health — it’s not a fun life, right?”
Her other half - whom she first met as a teenager - is the more relaxed parent.
“Their dad loves fancy cars, the latest spaceship,” she admitted.
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“The kids are, like, ‘Can Dad pick me up?’”
Alicia also helps out with her husband’s children from previous relationships, including 19-year-old son Prince Nasir Dean, 13-year-old son Kasseem Dean Jr. and 11-year-old Nicole Dean.
The star is now friends with his ex-wife Mashonda, 42, following their divorce in 2010 after the trio had counselling.
While she has said that she has never seen a therapist, she did see a life coach for a period.
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Alicia said: “Every time I would talk to her, I would leave angry. I was angry because she was calling me on all my s**t.”
In 2016, the singer revealed she was embarking on a make-up free journey and would be limiting the products she uses.
Make-up artist Dotti, who prepares her minimal looks for TV appearances or red carpet events, told W magazine that she apply individual lashes to the star’s brows to fill in any sparse areas and accentuates her freckles with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer.
Sir Elton John also recently opened up about how he is choosing to bring up his children.
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After suffering a “fearful” childhood, the pop star, 72, said he will never smack or shout at his kids when disciplining them.
He shares two sons - Zachary, nine, and six-year-old Elijah - with husband David Furnish, 57.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Elton said he prefers to parent using calm words instead.
The singer explained: “I was determined I was not going to hit them, I was determined I was not going to shout at them.”
