Nick Cannon is a "stern father."

The TV personality - who has 21-month-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with his wife Mariah Carey - is a firm believer in discipline and says his children would never dare misbehave in front of him or his superstar wife.

He told People magazine: "My kids - it's a blessing - they're extremely disciplined. They try [misbehaving] with other people because everyone gives them so much attention, but when it comes to my wife and I, we only have to say something once.

"We ask them to have a seat, they sit down, cross their legs and put their hands in their lap. I hope it lasts!"

The 32-year-old star might have a reputation as a joker, but he admits he is the boss in his own house and the tiny tots never fail to respond to his voice.

He said: "I've got the loudest voice in the house, so they've always responded to that ever since they were newborns. They hear my voice and they freeze."

However, Moroccan and Monroe still try and push their luck when it comes to getting their hands on sugary snacks and Nick confessed his son in particular has learnt to play a "Jedi mind trick" on him.

Nick explained: "We have a candy store inside of our LA house, and the basketball court is beneath it. My son tricks me. He'll say 'basketball,' and then every time, when we walk to the court, he runs to the straight to the candy and takes a handful. He's not even two yet, but he knows how to play the Jedi mind trick!"