The former American Idol winner, 40, and her talent manager ex-spouse Brandon Blackstock, 46, share children River Rose, eight, and six-year-old Remington Alexander.
After being married for almost a decade, the couple decided to call it quits in 2020 and finalised their divorce last year.
The star told the host of The Angie Martinez IRL Podcast, how her little ones were adjusting to life with separated parents.
She explained that every evening they set aside a designated time when she asks her offspring to express their feelings, saying if they are not happy she asks them what she can do to help.
Kelly revealed: ‘Sometimes they’ll say, especially the past two years, and it kills me and I want them to be honest, so I don’t ever say: “Oh god, don’t tell me that”, but a lot of times it would be like: “You know, I’m just really sad. I wish mummy and daddy were in the same house”.
‘I’m raising that kind of individual. I want you to be honest with me’.
The mum also admitted she could further sympathise with what her children were going through as she was a child of divorce too – with her parents splitting when she was six years old.
She continued: ‘I just sit there and I’m like: “I get it. I’m from a divorced family as well. I get it. That sucks. But we’re going to work it out. And you are so loved by both of us”.
‘I think communicating with them and not treating them—not treating them like an adult, because they’re not—but not treating them like a child.
‘They’re not small feelings. Those are huge feelings, and those are huge emotions’.
During the same chat, the singer seemingly wrote off any more marriages in the future when she said: ‘In my life, I’ve been through a couple of divorces in my own family as a kid.
‘I would love to fall in love. I would love to find someone and fall in love and do that thing, but I have children and that’s why I say that.
‘I didn’t have the most positive experience with step-situations and re-marrying and I didn’t have the most positive situation growing up.
‘I will not do that to my children. I would love to fall in love, but I don’t want another dude in my house with my children’.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Dwayne Johnson proves there’s nothing he can’t do after impressive duet with Kelly Clarkson
MORE : Emotional Simon Cowell tells Kelly Clarkson ‘I wouldn’t be here without you’ as she receives Hollywood Walk of Fame
Follow Metro on Snapchat
You can follow our new Snapchat show Pop Cultur’d, the go-to place for all things pop culture.
Keep up with the latest Showbiz exclusives by following Metro Showbiz on Snapchat.
And football fans can indulge in all the transfer gossip and more on Metro Football on Snapchat.
For all the latest Entertainment News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
