Penny Lancaster had a 'bumpy ride' bonding with Sir Rod Stewart's kids
Sir Rod Stewart's wife Penny Lancaster has confessed she experienced a "bumpy ride" when attempting to bond with the musician's six children from previous relationships and she has declared "it's incredible" how well it all worked out in the end.
Sir Rod Stewart's wife Penny Lancaster had a "bumpy ride" when attempting to bond with his six children from previous relationships.
The 80-year-old musician was already a dad of six when he started dating Penny and they went on to have two sons of their own, and she's now admitted it was initially a struggle trying to forge positive relationships with Rod's other kids.
She told The Telegraph newspaper: "We had a bit of a bumpy ride at the beginning. Understandably, because it wasn’t just one set of kids from one other mother. It was three mothers and six kids. It was multiple issues. It wasn’t like I could totally understand either, because I wasn’t a mother coming into it.
"It was a whole new ball game for me and it is incredible how things have worked out ... "
Rod is dad to eldest daughter Sarah - who was given up for adoption as a baby - as well as Kimberly and Sean with his first wife, Alana Stewart, Ruby with his ex-girlfriend, Kelly Emberg and Renee and Liam with his second wife Rachel Hunter, he has two more children, Renee and Liam. He is also dad to sons Alastair and Aiden with Penny, who he married in 2007.
Penny went on to explain how she attempted to build bridges with Rod's elder kids, saying: "I allowed them to take the lead … to a certain point.
"If things went too far, I would have to remind them that kindness and respect are important if you want to make this work. I didn’t have to do that often.
"I can also get my point across sometimes with silence. Allow there to be no noise so that kids have moments where they can reflect.
"I don’t always react to negativity. I allow there to be a bit of space so everyone can breathe."
Penny also revealed her relationship with Rod works because they have built "patience" and have learned to apologise when they are in the wrong.
She said: "We’re always looking out for each other. We don’t put pressure on each other. But we make each other accountable ...
"I remember we were driving together somewhere: Rod and I in the front, the boys in the back and we were arguing about something. He wasn’t speaking to me in the best manner.
"Then he just said: 'Pull over!' I was thinking: 'Oh no, really?' But it wasn’t to continue the argument, it was to end it.
"He turned around to the boys and said: 'Lads, we all disagree from time to time, but what you mustn’t do is be unkind or speak rudely to get your point across.
"So I apologise to your mother. The way I spoke to her is not the way to resolve your issues'."
