Elton John says he'd never smack or yell at his two sons even if they misbehave: 'They shouldn't live in fear'
Music legend Sir Elton John's explosive temper may have been a feature of the 1997 documentary 'Tantrums & Tiaras' but that doesn't mean he's fine with exposing children to violence. John, 72, told reporters that he did not want his sons, Zachary and Elijah, aged nine and six, to endure the "fearful" childhood that he experienced as a boy, the Daily Mail reports.
John reportedly said his distant father Stanley’s troubled and stormy relationship with his mother, Sheila, left him "walking on eggshells". When asked about his approach to fatherhood, the iconic singer reportedly said, "I was determined I was not going to hit them, I was determined I was not going to shout at them. They were going to be disciplined, but they were going to be disciplined in a way where we talked about things. I don’t want them to live any of their lives in fear and they don’t. They’re amazing children."
He did admit that he had his concerns when starting a family with his husband, 57-year-old David Furnish, but now he believes being a good parent has become his life’s focus. "The biggest responsibility in life is raising children, there’s no question about it," he said. "And if you can leave this Earth having raised your children well and they’re happy, that’s the greatest thing you can achieve. Forget your work. Forget your talent or anything."
'Rocketman', the biopic that chronicles Sir Elton’s life, examines his difficult early life and the complicated relationship he shared with his mother in later life. By his own admission, the songwriter's early experiences played a huge role in shaping his attitude toward his sons.
"Your childhood affects you so much as you grow older," he said. "It’s the template of how you live your life. But not everyone had a bad childhood. David had a wonderful childhood, but my childhood was in a different era. It was in the 1950s. You go back and you think, 'Well, that’s why I became who I am because I was frightened of everything'. Fear was ruining my life. I’m 72 now and I’ve come to the happiest point of my life where nothing is wrong."
Sir Elton John has been nominated for a Golden Globe in the 'Best Original Song - Motion Picture' category for the song '(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again' from 'Rocketman'. The ceremony is scheduled to be held on January 5 at The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills, CA.