How This Actress Embraces the Next Stage of Motherhood
By Movieguide® Contributor
Melissa Peterman’s “gratitude level is just through the roof” these days, thanks to everything from her family life to her new role on sitcom HAPPY’S PLACE.
“I feel very, very grateful,” she told Woman’s World. “I am happy. I’m lucky that I get to go to a job that I love with people I love. How often do you get a second chance to work with your best friend?”
Peterman added, “My gratitude level is just through the roof.”
The actress was overjoyed to join the cast of HAPPY’S PLACE, teaming up once again with her with REBA co-star and friend Reba McEntire.
“The minute that the REBA show ended, we were already thinking, ‘When do we get to work together again?’ So by the time it happened, I had already said yes in my heart a million times,” she shared. “Reba and I have a very unique chemistry and a bond that just works really well.”
In an interview with PEOPLE, the actress shared what she learned from working with McEntire.
“What I learned the first time around from Reba was every cast, crew member, every guest star, you walk up and say, ‘We’re so glad you’re here,’” Peterman said. “And by the way, that doesn’t happen all the time. And to make sure of that, and write a thank you note. Give a note to every guest cast, you make sure you thank them and that we’re so lucky to have you here. And so I learned welcoming from her from day one. I’m so grateful that my first job as a series regular was watching that woman be the leader on a set.”
Speaking about the show itself, Peterman explained, “What HAPPY’S PLACE does so well is that they maintained the magic that we had on REBA but opened it up and brought in a whole new cast of characters that are just as lovable. These characters are all very different. They’re different ages and they come from different backgrounds. The writers did a really great job mixing heart and humor.”
READ MORE: REBA CO-STARS REBA MCENTIRE, MELISSA PETERMAN REUNITE FOR NEW NBC PILOT
Peterman is also dealing with some big changes in her personal life — she recently became an empty-nester after sending son Riley to college.
“It’s hard to become an empty-nester,” she said. “As parents, we worry, but I remind myself how exciting it is to be 19 and out on your own. We want kids to make the right choices, but we have to allow them the freedom to choose. Now when he calls, I try not to ask, ‘Did you do this or that?’ I just let him talk.”
During an appearance on the “I’ve Never Said This Before” podcast, Peterman shared her commitment to motherhood.
“I was always the mom I wanted to be,” she said. “I was always there. And I didn’t miss a lot of stuff or time. I really didn’t.”
Peterman admitted that, now that her son has moved out, she feels a lot of nostalgia for the past.
“I do that thing where I will look at baby pictures and go like, ‘I want that moment back!’ So I think it’s just being present in moments, sometimes,” she explained. “We rush things, we fast forward through things, even little moments like, ‘I can’t wait till this birthday party is over and I can clean up.’ No, don’t.”
Peterman concluded, “So no, I don’t think it was any moment where I thought I was a bad mom. Just in hindsight I wish I enjoyed every moment a little bit more. But I think we all have those.”
READ MORE: REBA MCENTIRE’S HAPPY’S PLACE GETS SOME EXCITING NEWS
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