Christine Lampard says she's in a "different place now" with hubby Frank's daughters as she opened up about their blended family.
The TV presenter, 43, is step-mum to Luna, 17 and Isla, 15, who Frank shares with ex-wife Elen Rives.
Christine, who shares Patricia, three and Frederick, one with the Everton manager, said she feels 'lucky' to have two stepdaughters i her life as well as her own childen with the former footballer.
When Christine first met Frank Luna and Isla were just four and two years old with the Loose Women star saying their relationship has evolved considerably over the years.
Christine said she wasn't trying to be a second mother and tried to approach the situation by being the girls' friend.
"We are in such a different place now," she revealed. "For me it was all about being their friend and being there when they needed you to be there. That was it.
'You're not their mum, you're not their dad, but you are there if they need and want you, and that is I find the best way to navigate through everything.
"And it's worked for me because now they are two little mates who will text you and say, ''What do you think of this?''. We are very, very lucky," reports The Sun.
Christine and Frank tend to keep their family life away from the spotlight however, the Loose Women host gave fans a rare insight into the couple's parenting skills last month.
Speaking on Loose Women, she explained that Frank's role is very different to hers, partly because she spends a lot more time with her son and daughter.
"I'm with the children more because Frank's up north more and we're back and fourth," she stated.
"But, when they see him there's much more excitement and it's like a God-like figure has walked into the house and: 'Daddy!' but he hasn't done the nappies all day and tell them: 'Don't do that, don't do this' – although they always come back to Mummy, don't get me wrong.
"But I am definitely the one that has to say: 'Say thank you, say please'...
Christine continued: "But I understand and I think maybe you can flit between who is the authoritative one that day, you can switch roles sometimes.
"It's hard to get the balance sometimes because you want to be the fun one but, particularly when you are on your own you have to tick all the boxes."
Christine and Frank met at the Pride of Britain Awards 13 years ago in 2009 when the Northern Irish host was the presenter of The One Show.
The pair, who got hitched in December 2015, love rocking up at the bash with Frank telling us: "It is always a great evening for us for that reason."
