In the wake of her surprising split with husband Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson says she's determined to spare her kids the emotional wounds she suffered from her parents difficult divorce, People reports.

A source says the singer and TV show host is now back in Los Angeles with daughter River Rose, 6, and son Remington Alexander, 4. "She had to work through a lot of hurt from her childhood," says a source, adding, "Her priority is making sure her children grow up in a stable, loving environment."

The source says she also wants to stay close to Blackstock's children from a previous marriage, 13-year-old Seth and 18-year-old Savannah. "She's always thought of Seth and Savannah as her own too, and she has a special relationship with both of them," says the source. "Kelly wants to remain close with her step-kids."