Tristan Thompson’s Rare Dad Moment: Son Prince Heads to Third Grade with Chromebook Dreams

Hi, I’m Avery Sinclair. Can’t wait to see how this turns out.

Tristan Thompson offered a rare and honestly wholesome peek into his life off the court when he posted a short Instagram video of his son Prince heading into third grade on August 13. The Cleveland Cavaliers forward, who shares Prince with ex Jordan Craig and has three other young children with Khloe Kardashian and Maralee Nichols, captured a gentle, everyday moment that is oddly refreshing in an era of staged posts and attention-seeking antics.

The clip is simple and human. Tristan holds his phone for a selfie-style video in the car, asking his son, “Someone’s in the front seat today, huh?” Then the footage cuts to Prince walking toward his school while Tristan chatters about the big day. When Tristan asks what Prince is most excited about in third grade, the eight-year-old immediately answers with the practical enthusiasm of a kid who knows where the good stuff is: “Getting the Chromebook,” he says, explaining that students can take the devices home and to class. Prince also hopes to win prizes this year, revealing that second grade came up short on the reward front. One prize he specifically names? Mr. Beast collectibles, which is either a sign of excellent taste or a parenting moment where popular culture met scholastic incentives.

The interaction is light and real. At one point Tristan asks Prince if he knows where his new classroom is since it is in a different part of the building, and Prince points back to his kindergarten area, calmly navigating the small but meaningful transitions that make up childhood. The video ends with the two walking up the steps toward the school entrance. No drama, no PR spin, just a dad doing a dad thing.

This post arrives shortly after Tristan shared a rare family photo celebrating young Tatum’s birthday with siblings Prince and True plus cousin Dream Kardashian, which Tristan captioned with a sentimental “I Love you forever young king” on July 30. Those moments together indicate that despite the public attention on relationships and headlines, Tristan is curating private family time and occasional glimpses into everyday fatherhood.

Of course, celebrities across the board were posting first-day photos around the same mid-August dates. From Amanda Kloots recounting tearful school drop-offs for Elvis to Trista Sutter noting her kids hitting junior year and senior year milestones, the back-to-school season was trending celebrity-wide. The coverage ranged from a three-piece suit for a nervous preschooler to proud posts about kids entering high school. The contrast makes Tristan’s understated clip stand out: while others staged elaborate pictures or broke out the tiny tuxes, Tristan kept it humble and authentic.

What does this mildly viral dad moment tell us beyond the obvious cuteness? For one, it is a reminder that high-profile people can post something normal and still get attention. For another, it highlights how tech is now a childhood milestone: Chromebooks as trophies, Mr. Beast merch as motivational currency. It is also a subtle PR win for Tristan, who in recent years has had plenty of tabloid coverage. A single, warm clip of father and son walking into school erases a few headlines without saying a word.

So there you have it: Tristan Thompson posted a low-key, candid clip of Prince heading to third grade on August 13, complete with Chromebook aspirations and prize plans, and the internet collectively decided that normal is nice for once. What to watch next? Will we get another family moment or a sudden pivot back to controversy? Stay tuned.

And that is today’s dose of reality. You are welcome.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, Tristan Thompson Instagram
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed