Peter Andre has shared insight into the awkward level of parenting he faces when his kids throw his own past bad behaviour back at him.
The 50-year-old singer is a proud dad of four - sharing 18-year-old son Junior and 15-year-old daughter Princess with ex-wife Katie Price, 45, and nine-year-old daughter Amelia and six-year-old son Theo with wife Emily MacDonagh, 33.
Peter says he is well aware that in his youth he would turn to alcohol, cigarettes and spent time with groupies while at the height of his chart topping fame.
But now that he is in his 50s, he is far more mellow and wants to set a good example o his kids - but there is a problem in that they already know about his wild past.
Opening up to Fabulous magazine, Peter explained that he is being forced to confront his own past in order to discipline his kids.
The Mysterious Girl singer said: “I told Junior: ‘You need to be really respectful to whoever you date.’
"And he replied: ‘Well, have you always been?’ And I said: ‘No, I was an idiot. Many times. But I’m teaching you not to be that idiot.’
“He knows that as a teenager and in my 20s I was arrogant and I partied like crazy. But he knows now the last place I’d ever go to is a nightclub – I’ve grown up.”
By being reflective on his own past, Peter says he has been able to see how far he has come himself and how he hopes his kids will be the best version of themselves they can be.
He explained: “You can’t smoke a ciggy then say to your son: ‘Don’t ever smoke.’
“I remember in the [I’m A Celeb!] jungle, I used to smoke – it was just a different me. I would never touch a cigarette now. So it’s trying to teach the kids that you’re not perfect, and to avoid making those same mistakes.”
Earlier this month, Peter confessed he was on edge about letting Junior travel to Ibiza to celebrate his 18th birthday without parental supervision.
In a video message posted on Instagram, Peter explained: “So I've just left the airport, Junior going off on holiday with his friends.
"He's 18, it was a great day today. We spent the day together with Princess and it was wonderful but taking him to the airport I was getting that sick sort of feeling in my gut.
"But I really want him to have fun and enjoy himself."
He went on to tell his followers how Junior had headed off to the white isle with people he knew before revealing he's performing in Ibiza Rocks.
He added: "It's hard because you know now that legally he's an adult. Anyway, just having a moment and wanted to share it, hope you don't mind."
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