Sheryl Crow: I'm a strict parent

(CBS) Singer Sheryl Crow says she's a "strict" parent.

In an interview for Prevention magazine's May issue, the star takes on the issue of parents being friends with their kids.

"I think one thing that is missing now with kids is that hierarchy of adults not being friends, even though ultimately that's what you want with your kids," she told the magazine. "They have to understand that somebody's in charge and sometimes the answer is no. It's about being consistent."

Crow is parenting boys, Wyatt, 4, and Levi, 1, on her own. She says of single parenting, "I never thought I'd be raising a boy by myself. Now that I'm three and a half years in, and I see Wyatt going into a little testosterone phase I'm like, 'Whoa!' But he has great role models. He sees his two uncles and his granddad often and my farm manager on a daily basis."

Crow also has a boyfriend who is a producer.

She told the magazine she keeps her relationship with him "friend-based" when he's around the kids.

"I've been in the situation where I've been involved with people and their kids, and if the relationship doesn't work out, it's heartbreak," she said.

She added she and her boyfriend have "a great foundation" because they've known each other for 15 years.

For more Sheryl Crow, tune in to "The Early Show on Saturday," April 9, 2011.