Jada Pinkett Smith's children are banned from "talking crooked" to people.

The 37-year-old actress - who has two children, Jaden, 11, and eight-year-old Willow, with husband Will Smith, and is stepmother to Will's 16-year-old son Willard 'Trey', his child with ex-wife Sheree Zampino - tries not to be too strict with her parenting, but admits there are certain things she will not tolerate.

She explained to Good Housekeeping magazine: "My kids are extremely respectful. You might not have to go to bed at a certain time, but do not talk crooked to anybody! Always treat people the way you want to be treated."

Jada also revealed she always thinks of her family before signing up for new work, and usually checks her children are happy with her plans before she agrees them.

Referring to US TV show 'HawthoRNe', she explained: "I figure out how I can give them what they need, and in turn be given the time to do what I want.

"I sat my kids down and said, 'There's a project that mommy wants to do. It's going to be three months, and there might be days that I'm not going to be here when you wake up or when you go to bed. But then I might have two days off, and you can have mommy all to yourself.'

"Their response was, 'Oh, yeah, that's cool!' Willow said, 'When you come home late, will you just come in my bedroom and give me a kiss?'"

Jada insists she and Will like to do as many normal family activities with the kids as they can, and her favourite pastime is baking.

She said: "I love to bake - that's the only thing I do. I don't cook at all. I can't. My mother didn't cook and my grandmother couldn't cook a lick!"