The 'Mistresses' star talks about her 'Charmed' life, including hubby, son, and baby No. 2.
By Lauren Paige Kennedy
WebMD Magazine - Feature
Alyssa Milano, 41, the former child star who grew up before our eyes on the television hits Who’s the Boss, Melrose Place, and Charmed, is fully embracing not only adulthood these days, but motherhood, too. Her most-important production at the moment is giving birth to her second baby, a girl, due this fall. With son Milo, 3, and agent husband Dave Bugliari already her biggest fans, Milano’s latest script is tending to her current ABC series, Mistresses, her successful women’s sports-themed clothing line, Touch, her return tour as host on Lifetime’s Project Runway All-Stars, and, of course, loving her big, traditional -- and growing -- Italian family.
Congrats on baby No. 2! How has your second pregnancy differed from your first?
It’s been totally different. With Milo I didn’t have an hour of morning sickness. I felt great the entire time. I also had a vegetarian pregnancy and craved no meat. This time around I had morning sickness for 3 months, first-trimester exhaustion, and this baby craved turkey and chicken. On top of that, the first time around is such a magical, albeit frightening, experience. You’re so focused on the baby. The second time, you’re still focused on the first baby, because you still need to take care of him. I also wasn’t working [when pregnant] with Milo, so I could take 2-hour naps. Couldn’t do that with this baby!
Will your parenting approach change -- with sleep training, for example -- now that you’ve got some experience under your belt?
I’m pretty happy with my whole experience with Milo. I don’t believe in sleep training. My philosophy is to give your child what he needs to feel secure and safe. Milo has slept in his crib since he was 6 weeks old. He just came out like that.
How does Milo feel about having a sibling?
He’s so excited! We talk about it all the time with him. He talked to my belly and kissed it every night. He calls the baby “his” baby. We told him we were having the baby for him, so he wouldn’t think it was to replace him.
What has surprised you most about motherhood?
One is that I had no idea the capacity to love would be so endless. Never in my life did I expect to feel my heart grow and expand as it did when Milo was born. The other thing is that the fear never goes away. There’s always something new to worry about, whether it’s social or health issues.
Are you a helicopter parent?
In certain situations? Maybe. I try to give Milo as much independence as possible. Milo has always been really independent. I think the most important thing to do as a parent is to allow your child to be whoever he or she is, and to encourage that.
source : Q&A With Alyssa Milano
