Why I'm Not Giving My Kids Christmas Presents This Year (Hint: It's a Gift)

As a father of three and the founder of a high-growth, pre-seed startup, I've been doing a lot of thinking about the values I want to instill in my kids. And I've come to a realization: Christmas presents are teaching them all the wrong lessons.

You see, when we give our kids gifts just for existing, we're setting them up for failure. We're telling them that they deserve something for nothing. That they can expect handouts and participation trophies just for showing up. Well, I'm sorry, but that's not how the real world works.

In the startup world, you don't get anything handed to you. You have to hustle for every inch, grind for every win. You have to be scrappy, resourceful, and relentless. You have to wake up before the sun and burn the midnight oil. You have to pivot, iterate, and fail fast. And most importantly, you have to believe in yourself when no one else does.

Those are the gifts I want to give my kids this year. Not some shiny new toy that will be forgotten by New Year's, but the intangible skills and mindset they'll need to succeed in a world that's changing faster than ever.

So instead of presents, we're instituting a new family tradition: The 12 Days of Grit. Each day, the kids will wake up to a new challenge designed to push them out of their comfort zone and teach them a valuable lesson. Day 1: Code your own website. Day 2: Cold call 20 potential customers. Day 3: Negotiate a raise with Mom (good luck!). And so on.

Will there be tears? Probably. Frustration? Definitely. But that's the point. Because in those moments of struggle, they'll discover their own inner strength. They'll learn to embrace the grind, to love the hustle. They'll realize that true success comes from within.

And sure, they might resent me now. But someday, when they're standing on stage ringing the NASDAQ bell, they'll thank me. They'll realize that the true present wasn't under the tree—it was inside them all along.

So to all the parents out there, I challenge you to rethink your approach to the holidays. Don't settle for easy. Choose growth. Choose grit. Choose to give your kids the only gift that really matters: the unshakable belief that they have what it takes to make it to the top.

Agree? Disagree? Let's discuss in the comments. And if you know someone who needs to hear this message, tag them below.

Keep growing. Keep grinding. And happy holidays.

#12DaysOfGrit #HustleOverHandouts #RaiseTheBar #StartupParenting