Kate Middleton uses clever sofa tactic when disciplining George, Charlotte and Louis

When they're not out and about on royal duties or working on their charity projects, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are at home with their adorable children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Despite living in the huge Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace, the couple claim their family life is pretty normal, and they are very hands on parents with few staff.

Even though they have a nanny to help look after their royal trio, Kate and William do the majority of the parenting themselves - especially the discipline.

They have a couple of strict rules and shouting is reportedly "off limits".

The couple have also implemented a clever trick when things are getting out of hand, and it's been praised by other parents.

In place of the naughty step, a popular disciple approach, Kate and Wills sit their children down for a 'sofa chat'.

A source told the Sun: "The naughty child is taken away from the scene of the row or disruption and talked to calmly by either Kate or William.

“Things are explained and consequences outlined and they never shout at them.

“Shouting is absolutely ‘off limits’ for the children and any hint of shouting at each other is dealt with by removal.”

Kate has spoken about life as a mum a number of times, but her most open interview was when she sat down with I'm A Celeb star Giovanna Fletcher on her podcast Happy Mum, Happy Baby.

The Duchess spoke movingly about husband Prince William becoming a dad, their life as new parents behind closed doors and her own upbringing.

Asked if she feels mum guilt, she replied: "Yes absolutely - and anyone who doesn't as a mother is actually lying.

"Yep - all the time, Even this morning, coming to the nursery visit here - George and Charlotte were like 'Mummy how could you possibly not be dropping us off as school this morning?'

"It's a constant challenge - you hear it time after time from mums, even mums who aren't necessarily working and aren't pulled in the directions of having to juggle work life and family life."

She also says she sometimes feels guilty about the parenting decisions she makes.

She said: "[You're] always sort of questioning your own decisions and your own judgements and things like that, and I think that starts from the moment you have a baby."

She goes on to explain how she deals with the guilt, relaying something a "very wise man" told her.

She said: "The more people you have around your children who are safe and loving and caring, the better.

"So yeah - it was a real weight off my shoulders that actually it's not totally my responsibility to do everything, because you know we all have good days, bad days - and you can dilute that with others who aren't on that particular day struggling.

"I think it makes such a difference for your child, keeping them as constant and happy as possible."