In a world of spoiled nepo babies, it sounds like Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s kids will know the true meaning of hard work.

Ben and Jen were married from 2005 to 2018, and in that time, they welcomed three children together: Violet, 19; Seraphina, 16; and Samuel, 13. Though the Affleck kids live a low-key life away from the spotlight, their parents occasionally provide updates on what they’re doing — and earlier this year, we learned that Sam has a taste for expensive sneakers.

During a father-son trip to a sneaker-shopping convention in March, a viral clip showed Samuel picking out a pair of $6,000 Dior Air Jordan 1s and presenting them to his dad. “You like those ‘cause they’re expensive,” Ben told his son, who replied in defense: “No, they’re tough! I’ve always said they look good.” Despite being worth an estimated $150 million, the Gone Girl star was not about to splash out on the expensive sneakers, and instead gave his son a lesson in hard work, much to the

During a recent appearance on Today with Jenna & Friends to promote The Accountant 2, Ben Affleck opened up about the viral moment when his son requested a pair of $6,000 sneakers. Sharing the backstory, Ben recalled his reaction: “He wanted these sneakers, and I was like, ‘These sneakers are $6,000, what are you talking about? What are you gonna do, mow lawns? You got $6,000?’” He laughed as he told guest host Andy Cohen, who, like many, praised Ben’s parenting.

Ben continued to joke about the situation, adding, “He was like, ‘We have the money.’ I was like, ‘I have the money! You’re broke!’ As far as I know, you owe me $5,000! You got nothing!” But after the laughs, Ben took a more serious turn, reflecting on the importance of teaching his kids the value of hard work. “You love your kids, you want to give them everything, but you definitely do them a disservice by not teaching them that if you want something meaningful, you have to work for it.”

Andy, intrigued, asked whether Ben’s kids had jobs, and Ben proudly revealed that his older children are already working. “My oldest two have jobs. In fact, one just got a job working in a shop—classic teenager stuff—I won’t say where,” Ben shared. “My older one in college is working and trying to get a summer internship.” As for his youngest son, Samuel, Ben joked that he’s still “reckoning with” the reality of not having his own money. “He’s looking at no shoes in his closet. Well, he’s got shoes, just no fancy, expensive ones,” Ben said with a smile. “And I’m like, if you want those, you can work 1,000 hours. Minimum wage. And after 1,000 hours, you might not want to spend it all on a pair of sneakers!”