Madonna claims she has to play the "bad cop" to her children because husband Guy Ritchie is too lenient.

The "Like a Virgin" singer claims she is forced to dish out any punishment to the couple's two children, Rocco and Lourdes, because Guy lets them do whatever they like, reports celebrity portal Femalefirst.

She told American magazine Ladies Home Journal: "I'm the disciplinarian, Guy's the spoiler. He's the fun guy. I'm doctor's appointments, lessons, homework. He's good cop, I'm bad cop."

Madonna, 46, also says she has invented ingenious ways of disciplining her children to teach them a lesson.

She insists she has no problem stripping either child of their privileges if they fail to adhere to her strict household rules and they have to "earn" them back.