Loose Women host Ruth Langsford revealed on Wednesday that she signs cards to her stepchildren "from your wicked stepmother".
She laughed about the inside joke as the ladies discussed step-parenting, as Ruth is stepmother to her husband Eamonn Holmes' three children.
Ruth and Eamonn have son Jack, 18, while he also has three grown up children, Rebecca, Declan and Niall, with his first wife, Gabrielle Holmes.
"It is interesting that it’s always the stepmothers who are portrayed as the wicked or evil stepmother," Ruth began.
"I am officially a stepmother, although they don’t call me that phrase very often.”
"I actually sign things saying, 'From your wicked stepmother'.
"It’s like a term of endearment in a way."
She added: "I’m very lucky I have a fantastic relationship with my stepchildren.
"I always think a stepmother has to be very nurturing actually, it’s a very difficult balance and a fine tight rope you’re walking."
Co host Judi Love opened up on her own parenting concerns as she is a single mother to two children, who she is home schooling while juggling work, and she is also dyslexic.
"My worry definitely is the children having home schooling, the schools have been fantastic, my son's teacher called him twice yesterday and he has got a classroom of about 28," said Judi.
"But the worry for me, especially being a single parent, I have got work, I've got to keep them safe, there is not another partner with me to help me with online schooling.
"I am dyslexic, I am proud to say what I am, I worry whether I will be able to support them to work at home," Judi explained.
* Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV at 12:30pm
