Actress-designer Nicole Richie adores being a parent and says she has learned a lot about herself since having children.

Richie says raising her daughter Harlow, six, and son Sparrow, four, with husband Joel Madden has taught her about her ''real'' self and loves being a role model for the youngsters.

"It teaches you a lot about yourself and about patience and about coming from a place of love and constant compassion,` contactmusic.com quoted her as saying.

"Having kids gives you the opportunity to be the real you. I love being a mother and being an example to my kids. It's fun - you get to relive your childhood all over again,` she added.