The phrase “it takes a village” is something Nick Cannon knows all too well as the father of 12 kids. “I thank God for their mothers,” Cannon, 43, exclusively told Us Weekly while in Los Angeles at Fox’s Fall Press Day of managing his work and family life.

With 12 children by six women, Cannon's family tree is a sprawling oak rather than a neat sapling. But he's dead serious about his role as a father.

Nick Cannon is grateful for the "sacrifices" that the mothers of his children make and thanked them for all they do in organising such a schedule.

He shares two children with his ex-wife, singer Mariah Carey, 13-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe. Additionally, Cannon is the father to Golden, 7, Powerful Queen, 3, and Rise, 2, whom he shares with model Brittany Bell.