Denise Richards is nothing if not diplomatic. The divorced mother of two obviously knows where her bread is buttered -- or why else would she remain so tight-lipped about the outlandish antics of her out-of-control ex all this time? The failed reality star is finally opening up about the effect that Charlie Sheen's wild ways are having on her and her children. The former Mrs. Sheen confessed to Access Hollywood that Sheen's affinity or hookers and coke is something with which she was not prepared to deal, despite being married to the hot mess for years. One of her biggest gripes about Sheen's epic benders is that his dirty laundry is being aired so publicly. Says Richards, "I think a lot of people are concerned about Charlie, and my concern is obviously - what becomes difficult is things become so public. I try my best to keep that quiet from our daughters because, you know, this is something I've never dealt with in my life until this situation. I'm learning how to deal with it and just keeping a lid on it for our kids has been my main priority and it does become difficult." Unless little Lola and Sam are living on another planet, there's a pretty good chance they'll hear, speak and see the evil that Sheen does. Although Sheen signed away his parental rights last year, he's as involved as any drug and sex-addicted dad can get in his kids' lives. After a volatile three-year divorce, Richards and Sheen are finally on solid ground for the most part. But Richards cops to the fact that taking a family trip to New York with the Two and a Half Men actor was a lesson learned. She admits, "Thankfully, the last - I would say two years, Charlie and I have been in such a much better place and it makes it so much easier for our daughters. When we went to New York, that was our intention - to have a nice time with the girls and I thought it was great that we could all travel together and go out to dinner and do things even though we're not together anymore. The events that took place after that, you know, it was... difficult."