Sharon Stone insists on hugging her children before they do anything else in the mornings.

The 55-year-old star - who has three sons, Roan, 13, Laird, eight, and seven-year-old Quinn - insists she is a fairly normal mother who tries not to be too strict, but she makes a point of being affectionate to her kids every day.

She said: ''I'm a pretty square parent. I expect my kids to have dinner at the table every night, and I expect them to finish their homework before anything else.

''I think that sort of training is important. I'm also big on hugs - I don't want to lose that.

''The boys are out of bed like rockets in the morning and we always say, 'Morning hugs first.' That's the rule.''

Sharon is often reminded she is doing a good job as a parent by some of the thoughtful things her three sons do to show her how much they appreciate her.

She added to HELLO! magazine: ''They're such great kids. They knew I had a big day today doing interviews and that I'd be working hard, so they brought me breakfast in bed and made me heart-shaped pancakes.

''When your little ones are as thoughtful as that, when you see that they know how to give to others, especially when they're boys, then you really feel that, as a parent, you are doing OK.''