During her Monday, March 13, appearance , Clarkson, 40, reflected on how her daughter River, 8, and son Remi, 6, mirror her.

“I think I am my mother’s child, and I’m raising very independent children,” the singer shared about her kids, whom she shares with Blackstock, 46. “They will be out the door as soon as they’re able and capable. They’re very independent.”

“I literally ask my kids every night when we’re snuggling, ‘Are you happy? And if you’re not, what could make you happier?’” she detailed. “Sometimes they’ll say — especially the past two years — a lot of it — 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 Mommy and Daddy were in the same house.’ And they’re really honest about it. And I’m raising that kind of individual.”

“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,'” she added. “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.”

The performer discussed  on her marriage. In the book, the author asked the reader if they would want their daughter to have the same marriage as them.

“It just changed the perspective on that,” Clarkson continued. “I am a way better parent when I take care of myself — the oxygen mask mentality, right? And you do have to take care of yourself in order for that to trickle down.”

Amid the divorce proceedings, Clarkson and Blackstock . The Texas native later filed a separate motion . She was granted the request in September 2021. Their divorce was ultimately settled in March 2022.