John Legend on How He Promotes Gratitude in His Children

John Legend has been a longtime supporter of the Ronald McDonald Home Charities (RMHC) however his involvement felt extra private this 12 months. 

“Household is so vital to me,” says Legend. “And we all know what it is like once you’re coping with well being challenges together with your children, and the way you want a help community.”

Legend’s second oldest little one, Miles, 6, was recognized with sort 1 diabetes, which mother Chrissy Teigen revealed through Instagram in July 2024. 

“We have had to spend so much extra time on the Youngsters’s Hospital and dealing with the docs there, and so we all know how difficult that may be,” shares Legend, who carried out at RMHC’s fiftieth Anniversary Gala in Chicago in November 2024.

Whereas Miles’ situation wasn’t life-threatening and the household didn’t must relocate for care, Legend and his household understood firsthand how a lot the correct help could make a distinction.

“You want different individuals—not simply household and pals—however organizations and different caregivers who can actually present the help your loved ones wants,” he shares. 

Utilizing His Platform for Good

The Grammy Award winner says he’s frolicked with households utilizing RMHC’s companies. The group, based in 1974, gives greater than 1,000 applications around the globe that present important companies to households when youngsters want well being care. Since 1974, RMHC has cared for tens of tens of millions of households in want, with the assist of donations.

“A few of these children are coping with a number of the most tough therapies, like chemotherapy. Asking a child to be courageous within the face of a few of these actual challenges is admittedly one thing,” says Legend. “Then seeing the resilience, but additionally simply the heartbreak that folks should undergo seeing their children battle and face these challenges, is gorgeous. Truthfully, it is humbling, and it simply strengthens my resolve to do no matter I can to assist out.”

That rings extra true than ever in the course of the vacation season. 

“It is a reward giving season; it is also a season of gratitude,” says Legend. “It is vital to be pleased about what we have now, after which additionally pay it ahead by giving again, serving to individuals that will not have all of the sources that we have now.” 

Educating His Children the Energy of Giving Again 

Legend and his spouse work to instill the need to offer again to Miles and his older sister Luna, 8. 

“We, in truth, require them to offer away some toys every time we get them new toys,” says Legend. “We attempt to put that in follow with them, in order that they perceive how blessed they’re, but additionally that they’ve the chance to assist different individuals, and they need to use that chance.”

Luna and Miles have even accompanied their well-known dad and mom to RMHC occasions.

“Numerous occasions these children, even when they are going by way of well being challenges, they play similar to different children. They do artwork similar to different children. They chortle on the identical jokes. So, I would like our children to grasp that they are simply different children, similar to they’re, however they’re coping with a selected well being problem,” explains Legend. 

The couple’s youthful children—Esti, 22 months, and Wren, 16 months—will seemingly be inspired to do the identical as soon as they’re sufficiently old to grasp. 

Being Collectively on the Holidays

Together with giving again, the vacations on the Legend family are all about household—and feasting. His spouse’s cooking abilities assist to take it up a notch.

“I’m married to somebody who’s an excellent chef, and meals is essential to us, particularly for Thanksgiving,” he says of Teigen, who has best-selling cookbooks and cookware model.

Legend and Teigen wish to maintain issues very festive for his or her little ones, and that features tree adorning and a go to from Santa.

“I believe particularly as a result of Chrissy did not develop up in an enormous household, she loves the truth that we have now an enormous household, and he or she likes to do every little thing massive for the vacations,” he says.

This 12 months, the household could even be singing some tunes from Legend’s just lately launched (and Grammy-nominated!) household album My Favourite Dream. His youngsters’s favourite track from the album is “L-O-V-E.”

“That is the one Luna and Miles and Chrissy sang on with me, and that is the one which I did a model of with Ms. Rachel on YouTube,” explains Legend. “So, that one’s highly regarded, not simply with my children, however with children all around the world I suppose now due to Ms. Rachel.”

Subsequent on the checklist is “All the time Come Again,” a heartfelt track that discusses a cherished one promising to come back again house after spending time away.

“That one is one which’s sort of related for this RMHC dialog and simply eager about households that should be aside from one another for some time,” he says.

His daughter Luna, particularly, pertains to the ballad.

“She’s the oldest and he or she’s seen me should fly away for journeys and for work. We all the time will inform [our kids] that we all the time come again; Mommy and Daddy all the time come again,” says Legend. “And I believe that is one thing that is actually comforting, particularly when children should be separated from their dad and mom for a time.”