INTERVIEW | Leigh-Allyn Baker: Real-life mom

Leigh-Allyn Baker, left, stars as Amy Duncan in Disney Channel's "Good Luck Charlie."

Disney Channel’s wildly successful sitcom Good Luck Charlie enters its second season on Feb. 20. The show is about how a family of tweens and teens face the challenges of helping to care for their now 2-year-old sister, Charlie, when mom and dad return to work.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Leigh-Allyn Baker, who plays mom Amy Duncan on the series, about her real life as a mom to her 2-year-old son, Griffin.

I understand you have a 2-year-old. How are you surviving?

I’ve got to say, I thought, “This 2-year-old thing, what are they talking about?” Leading up to it, everybody was saying, “Oh, I can see the signs already,” and my child was like this PERFECT ANGEL. I didn’t know what they were talking about. And the day after he turned two, my mom was in town visiting and he started throwing a fit in the car. I mean, a full-on tantrum because he couldn’t touch my iPhone. And I said, “Something must be wrong. He must be sick. He’s not like this!” And she’s like, “Welcome to the terrible twos.” Really? The day after he turned two, it already starts? He’s just very, very willful, and I can’t blame it on teething anymore because he has all of them. (laughs)

Everyday is something new and something fun. His terrible twos aren’t so terrible as long as I keep my cool and put it into perspective.

Do you find that there’s anything you’re doing now that, as a single person without kids, you swore you would never do?

Yeah, I got one that happens all the time that used to annoy me to no end. When I would be on the phone with a friend who had a kid, and the kid would be shouting in the background. And my friend would be like (baby voice),“Yes, Timmy, Mamma needs to get you Timmy.” And I would sit there thinking, “Hellooo? I called, you’re on the phone with ME.” (sigh) Yeah, I do that all the time. Now my mom is annoyed with me, I hear her sometimes go, “You call me later, when he’s in bed.” (laughs)

Are you in the process of potty training, or have you even thought about it yet?

Yeah, we’ve had a little fake potty in our bathroom for months now. He really doesn’t care for it right now. I’ve read many a technique that you’re not supposed to reward them, so I tried that. Didn’t work. Then I went to the whole M ‘n M method, and he says “No, thank you.” We’re still figuring that out.

If you could give one bit of motherly wisdom to other moms out there, what would it be?

We all stress so much about being perfect parents for our kids, and the one thing I’ve learned is that my kid loves and adores me no matter how imperfect I am. He’s never the one that puts stress on me; it’s been me putting it on myself. And I feel also that kids really learn by example, and less by what you say. And the happier I make myself and the more relaxed and carefree I am, the more my kid turns out that way.