Don’t Miss This Actress’ Encouragement for Parents

Published: March 26, 2025

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 15: (L-R) Melissa Peterman and Reba McEntire attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

By Movieguide® Contributor

Actress Melissa Peterman wants families to slow down and enjoy every moment, something she wished did more when her kids were growing up.

“I was always there. And I didn’t miss a lot of stuff or time. I really didn’t. It’s not even about my job. It was just about; it went so fast,” she told the “I’ve Never Said This Before” podcast with Tommy DiDario.

Her 19-year-old son Riley recently moved out, and she often finds herself thinking about when he was little.

“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.”

“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,” Peterman reflected.

But as her son grows and their relationship changes, she’s finding new joy in the next phase of motherhood.

“It’s hard to become an empty-nester. 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,” she said. “Now when he calls, I try not to ask, ‘Did you do this or that?’ I just let him talk.”

Currently Peterman stars in HAPPY PLACE with former REBA costar Reba McEntire. The show’s season finale just premiered on Peacock last week. In a post to Instagram, NBC shared a carousel of photos from the episode, including some sweet moments with Peterman and her castmates.