Elle Macpherson wants her sons to be independent.

The 48-year-old supermodel - who has two kids, Flynn, 13, and eight-year-old Cy, with former fiance ARPAD BUSSON - has a male assistant, Mike Tanner, who helps out with family life but she insists he doesn't do everything for her children.

She said: "He comes in the morning just before school and laves at 6 or 7pm in the evening so we have help if we need it.

"He assists the boys as I engender independence and self-responsibility and I prefer they have support rather than someone doing everything for them. They're very independent."

Though she gets help from Mike, Elle insists she is always there for her sons and likes to take the time to catch up on their day.

She added in an interview with Closer magazine: "They know I'm 100 per cent there for them. I'm the first person they see in the mornings and the last they see at night.

"One of my favourite things to do is lie on Flynn's bed and chat to him while he potters around, listen to music together, talk about the day, unwind."