Blake Shelton Reveals How His Own Father Inspired Him To Be A Better Stepdad To Gwen Stefani’s Three Sons

Nearly one year after marrying singer Gwen Stefani, country music star Blake Shelton is opening up in a touching new interview about how his relationship with his own father has helped him be a better stepdad to his wife’s three sons.

Shelton Becomes A Stepdad

Stefani is the mother of three sons with her ex-husband Gavin Rossdale: Kingston, 15, Zuma, 13, and Apollo, 8. Shelton explained that Stefani’s three boys initially made her skeptical that their relationship could ever work. 

“I think Gwen thought, when we first started seeing each other, that it was just gonna be a moment in time because of that,” Shelton told People Magazine. 

Related: Blake Shelton Surprises Gwen Stefani With Stunning Engagement Ring

Shelton’s Example From His Father

Shelton, however, comes from a family in which his father married his mother when she already had a baby, his older brother Richie. 

“He took Richie on and raised him from the time he was 1 year old, and my brother never thought of my dad as anything other than his dad,” recalled Shelton, who tragically lost Richie when he was killed at the age of 24 in a 1990 car crash.

“The example that my dad set for me was that [child] was not even a consideration [in a romantic partnership],” the country music star added. “You got three boys? Awesome! My dad did it. My dad raised me. I could do this. I didn’t know what I was signing up for, but I was all about signing up for it. And every day I’ve fallen in love with the boys as much as I do with Gwen.”

Related: Blake Shelton Explains How Gwen Stefani Led Him To Believe In God

Stefani’s Sons First Time On The Ranch

Shelton also opened up about the first time the three Los Angeles-raised brothers visited his ranch in rural Oklahoma with no idea what country life is really like. 

“The two of them were like, ‘Well, what do we do now?'” Shelton said. “I go, ‘Go out that door and don’t come back till you’re too tired to go any further.’ Well, they can’t even imagine just going down to the creek with a net or turning over rocks or getting on a buggy and driving around.”

These days, Stefani’s three sons see the Oklahoma ranch as a place that is “like Disneyland,” and while Shelton has taught them all how to fish, they have another favorite hobby in their rural play land.

“When it comes to burning things and starting fires and throwing hatchets, you better get out of the way!” Shelton warned. 

Here’s a heart-warming video of Blake and Gwen singing together:

We’re so glad to see that Blake Shelton has taken to being a stepfather so well! Stefani and her three boys are truly lucky to have someone like him in their lives.