Kelsey Grammer regrets neglecting his older children

Kelsey Grammer recently got candid and opened up about making up time for his older children now.

For the unversed, the 70-year-old American actor and film producer shares his three children, daughter Faith, 12, and sons Gabriel, 10, and James, 8, with Kayte Walsh, his wife of 14 years.

He is also the father of daughters Spencer, 41, Greer, 33, and Mason, 23, and son Jude, 20, from his past relationships.

While conversing with PEOPLE magazine, Grammer said he has been “playing catch up with some of the older ones.”

Referring to Spencer and Greer, the Frasier alum added, “I have neglected a couple of the kids in my life, especially the first two. I'm trying to make up for a little of it now. I'm still their dad, so you can always have [a] chance to show up.”

“I probably should have been a little more clear and maybe less tolerant with the older ones. I'm pretty tolerant with the young ones, but I'm clear about how there's certain expectations and certain ways to navigate through a social situation: keep it close to the vest and play it straight, and you're going to be well-served in your life,” he explained.

“I'm a little more specific with them about doing their studies and being prepared. [I tell them], 'What's your job in life? Showing up,’” Grammer noted.