Jacob Rees-Mogg has shared all about disciplining his children (Image: Getty)
told all about his “posh” lifestyle at a media Q&A ahead of his new reality TV show launch, Meet The Rees-Moggs on Monday (November 25) – but viewers might be surprised at his spend-thrifty attitude when it comes to teaching his children.
The former MP for North East Somerset, who has been blasted by some for being “out of touch”, admits he’s had a very privileged existence. He confessed: “I was completely indulged by my nanny [as a child] and now my good wife, so I’m not going to complain about the good fortune I’ve had!”
Yet he isn’t willing to “indulge” his children in quite the same way, admitting that he even encourages the nanny to his kids – five boys and a girl – to give them “rationing” lessons. Joking that she “predates” him and is almost “a member of the family”, Jacob shared how she doles out tough love to the kids in the setting of their multimillion pound Grade II listed home.
Admitting that some may see the idea of having a nanny as “antiquated”, he explained: “I think there’s a wonderful thing about nanny being the second generation and how much it’s taught my children. [They learnt] that nanny grew up when they were still rationing [in the war-time era] and she points that out to the children when they are putting half a ton of butter on their toast.
“That would have been a week’s ration when she was a child!” He added: “I think this is a wonderful way that they are connected to an important part of our history in a living sense, rather than just getting it from a book that people had to get clothing coupons for the children.
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Jacob Rees-Mogg and his family of eight star in new reality TV show Meet the Rees-Moggs (Image: DISCOVERY )
“All of this was going on in the nanny’s lifetime and it’s a reminder perhaps that life isn’t necessarily always as easy and comfortable as it currently seems!”
The couple’s wealth was estimated at “well over £100m” and Rees-Mogg’s wife Helena de Chair is an heiress to a reported £45 million fortune.
Viewers will get an introduction to the family nanny when they tune into the first episode of Meet The Rees Moggs, when she can be seen threatening that “one day” she might deliver a disciplinary beating to Jacob himself.
She’s been working in the Rees-Mogg family for 59 years, while Jacob himself is only 55, and as the eldest, she’s been appointed the resident matriarch.
Despite having a strict authority figure at home, the kids still try their luck at bending the rules, including the five boys regularly playing cricket inside the house – something they are under clear instructions not to do.
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Jacob Rees-Mogg with his heiress wife Helena (Image: Getty)
Jacob is also keen for his children to inherit his Catholic faith, with one of his boys preparing for his Holy Communion on camera.
He explained that, according to popular belief, seven years old is the age when a child is capable of “knowing right from wrong and can be responsible for their sins” – so that’s the age his kids are being officiated.
Despite being strict when it comes to financial lessons and faith, Jacob – who runs an investment banking firm – gives his children a luxurious lifestyle in other ways, and sends them to exclusive boarding schools.
Asked what the one thing is she’s excited for people to learn about the family and their lifestyle, Jacob’s wife Helena agonisesd: “I don’t know – I just hope we don’t all come across as absolutely awful, completely out of touch people!
Tune into Meet The Rees-Moggs when it streams on December 2 on Discovery+ and make up your own mind.