Houston "blessed" to spend time with daughter

Whitney Houston has revealed that she feels "blessed" to be spending time with her daughter.

The 'I Will Always Love You' singer admitted that being away from the public eye afforded her more time to share with 16-year-old Bobbi Kristina during her formative years.

She told MTV: "I had the blessing of watching my daughter grow from the time of 12. When a young woman is at the age of 12 or 13, you know, it's the detrimental years... and I had the opportunity to watch her grow and be there for her."

After music producer Clive Davis approached the Grammy Award-winner about recording her new album I Look To You, Houston wanted to ensure that her mother-daughter bond with Bobbi would not be broken.

She added: "Clive called me, and I said, 'Just give me a minute. Let me get her straightened out. Let me get her on the right track and let her know what I'm about to do, 'cause she's going with me everywhere I go. She's going to be right here by my side'."

It was reported earlier that the singer previewed nine tracks off her upcoming LP at a listening party in New York City.

Houston is to release I Look To You on September 1.