‘I was taking the advice of my nanny!’ Southern Charm’s Thomas Ravenel explains why his children, aged one and three, live in the guest house

  • Currently embroiled in nasty custody battle with ex Kathryn Dennis 

By Lizzie Smith For Dailymail.com

Published: 10:07 EDT, 10 April 2017 | Updated: 11:48 EDT, 10 April 2017

He's seeking sole custody of his young children in a nasty court battle with his much younger former girlfriend Kathryn Dennis.

But Southern Charm’s Thomas Ravenel has been forced to defend his own parenting, after admitting the youngsters live in the guest house.

Seemingly surprised by the reaction after he made the revelation on the reality show, the politician and former State Treasurer explained he had only been taking the advice of their nanny.

‘I was taking the advice of my nanny!’ Southern Charm’s Thomas Ravenel explains why his children, aged one and three, live in the guest house

‘I was taking the advice of my nanny!’ Southern Charm’s Thomas Ravenel explains why his children, aged one and three, live in the guest house

Explained: The nanny was worried for the safety of Kensie, and Saint in his elaborately decorated main home in Charleston, South Carolina

Explained: The nanny was worried for the safety of Kensie, and Saint in his elaborately decorated main home in Charleston, South Carolina

She was, he said, worried for the safety of three-year-old Kensington, known as Kensie, and one-year-old St Julian Rembert, aka Saint in his elaborately decorated main home in Charleston, South Carolina.

'I caught all this grief for this,' he told People magazine. 'But I was taking the advice of my nanny, who said that would be the most appropriate place to raise the children because the front house is like a museum that’s four stories — it’s very dangerous. 

'There are open areas to play, you have all this antique-y furniture, you know, it’s just not conducive to raising children, it’s not kid-friendly.'

Luxury: Ravenel explained 'There are open areas to play, you have all this antique-y furniture, you know, it’s just not conducive to raising children, it’s not kid-friendly'

Luxury: Ravenel explained 'There are open areas to play, you have all this antique-y furniture, you know, it’s just not conducive to raising children, it’s not kid-friendly'

And he added: 'I mean, this is a woman who’s a phenomenal person who knows her stuff.' 

Ravenel, 54, is currently in the midst of a nasty custody battle with ex Kathryn Dennis, 24, who has supervised visitation every other weekend. 

He is seeking full custody of the children, alleging they are not safe in their mother's care. 

Court battle: The politician is currently seeking full custody of the children, alleging they are not safe in their mother's care

Court battle: The politician is currently seeking full custody of the children, alleging they are not safe in their mother's care

Tv drama: Viewers of the show have watched Kathryn Dennis struggle with drug use, with the young mother admitted to rehab for a 31-day stint last summer

Tv drama: Viewers of the show have watched Kathryn Dennis struggle with drug use, with the young mother admitted to rehab for a 31-day stint last summer

Even by the standards of reality television, Ravenel and Dennis's relationship has been one of torrid drama as viewers have tuned in season after season, riveted by the compelling implosion.  

Viewers of the show have watched Dennis struggle with drug use, with the young mother admitted to rehab for a 31-day stint last summer. 

However, according to court documents seen by DailyMail.com, she has since missed several mandated drug tests, risking being held in contempt of court.

The court documents show that Dennis has not taken the drugs and alcohol tests since last November.

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