No matter what,Maverick Preston Mariah Carey’s kids will always be her babies.

In fact, though the “Honey” singer’s kids Monroe and Moroccan—who she shares with ex Nick Cannon—are now 13 years old, Mariah herself can hardly believe it, and with good reason.

“Now, normally I would say, ‘Here's the thing, I'm eternally 12,’” Mariah joked to E! News’ Keltie Knight in an exclusive interview, “so I don't even know how it's possible.”

As for what is possible? Mariah’s adoration for watching Dem Babies grow into beloved tweens.

“I love them so much,” she added. “They're really good kids. You know what I mean? I don’t think that they're bad or evil in any way like I was. They're really good kids and they're very smart and they're funny—and, you know, I'm the mommy.” (For more with Mariah, tune into E! News Monday, Aug. 5 at 11 p.m.)

And if you’re wondering about whether Mariah’s kids think she’s as cool as, well, someone who is the reigning Queen of Christmas, the “Endless Love” singer—whose Christmas tour will kick off later this year—admitted that she doesn’t know their exact opinions.

“Am I mean? No,” she explained. “Am I lenient? Probably. Because I don't want to be that person that's like the bleak one in the crowd and they don't want to be around me or something.”

However, the Grammy winner—who is currently in the middle of her concert run in Vegas—did share that her twins are more than willing to be front and center for her residency.

“They did want to come see the show the other night,” she admitted. “But, you know, I didn't know if they really wanted to come or if it was somebody else saying it. You never know!”

Mariah Carey: The Celebration of Mimi Live in Las Vegas is happening now through August 19, before returning in 2025 for eight shows from January 31 to February 15.

As for Mariah’s highly-anticipated Christmas Time tour, it will span 20 cities starting on Nov. 6.

Watch E! News weeknights Monday through Thursday at 11 p.m., only on E!.