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PASADENA,
Calif. -- The
Big Bang Theory's Mayim Bialik held a book talk and signing
event on Thursday evening. It took place inside the Vroman's Bookstore
in Pasadena, Calif. Her new book, "Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life
Guide to Raising Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting
Way," was released on March 6. It is about attachment parenting,
which is a child-led approach to raising kids. This parenting
style has alowed her to relax into her role as a mother instead
of following a rigid parenting script.
"I
was not looking to write this book," the actress turned author
admitted. "Generally, people believe in gentle disclipline.
My kids are not perfect and I'm not perfect. Conventional parenting
encourages early independence. My kids do have total meltdowns
and freakouts. Solids after six months are fun and interesting.
We can't expect them to be adults. Many men enjoy being attachment
dads. Not all attachment parents decide to be home."
Bialik
follows Conservadox Judaism religious beliefs. She married her
husband, Michael Stone, in 2003. He was born a Latter Day Saint,
but has since converted to Judiasm. They had two kids--Miles in
2005 and Frederick in 2008.
"This
is not a parenting style of laziness or insufficiency," she
said. "Co-sleeping really freaks people out. If children
are on the bed, that's not the place to have sex. We're vegan.
I do not make special meals. We happen to home school. I don't
know of any other celebrity parents who are doing this."
The "Beyond the Sling" author said that she kept breastfeeding
her son, Fred, until he was three years old.
"Many
people can breastfeed a human child," Bialik added. "It
may not work for you. That doesn't necessarily make it wrong.
I have friends who pump for a year and have never breastfed. I
was able to pump and store some away. Nursing in public bothers
some people. I did self-hypnosis for both births. A very common
image is The Parting of the Red Sea."
In
2010, Bialik joined the cast of the CBS sitcom, which airs Thursdays
at 8 p.m. She stars as Amy Farrah Fowler Ph.D., a potential girlfriend
for Sheldon (played by Jim Parsons). In the show and in real life,
she holds a Ph.D. degree in neuroscience.
I
asked her what she thought of the huge success of The Big
Bang Theory. Her first appearance on the show was in the
finale of the third season.
"One
of the best things about The Big Bang Theory is I didn't
have to make it popular," Bialik explained. "It was
when I was hired. It just takes a lot of the pressure off when
a show already has its feet under it. I'm super excited to be
part of it and I think also we just announced we have Stephen
Hawking, who's going to be in the April 5 episode, I got to meet
him twice this week. It's the best week of my life. I think it's
amazing that our show not only touches so many of the public,
but has reached out into general culture as well."
An
audience member asked the actress if the show is an accurate portrayal
of scientists and what they see during their average work day.
"I
know someone like each one of those characters," she continued,
"Either from my time as an undergrad or as a graduate student
or just as my time as a civilian. I had a lot of professors, especially
UCLA who looked like models, men and the women. There's a full
spectrum of scientists. I was always in really schleppy clothes.
If anybody saw What Not To Wear, that's what I looked
like in grad school. Yeah, I think a lot of it is stereotyped
to be funny, but I think is a lot of interesting subtleties to
the characters. There's a lot of attention to Jim Parsons' character,
some of his histories and his meticulousness and kind of OCD tendencies.
In my experiences, those characters as completely accurate to
the scientific community."
Bialik
spoke to the audience of about 100 for about an hour and then
signed copies and took photos with everyone.
"Mayim
has great chemistry with Jim Parsons," said Bobbie Black
from Pasadena, Calif. "Amy [Farrah Fowler] is really funny.
We were early and got here at 5:45 p.m. I bought one copy. I've
met Clive Barker. I've met celebrities at other places as well."
Everyone
who got an autograph was required to purchase one copy of her
book from Vroman's for every three they purchased elsewhere.
"I
have two copies of her book," said Karianna Frey from Pasadena,
Calif. "I got here at 6:30 p.m. I have two children. My husband
and I follow Catholic parenting. Before I was a mom, I taught
high school science. This is my second book signing here. The
first was Malcolm Gladwell."
Most
of the fans in attendance came to the event because they recognized
her from the TV show. The new book served as a bonus for them.
"I'm
a fan of the show," said Barbara from Pasadena, Calif. "I'm
interested in how she continues to breastfeed her 3-year-old.
I think she's very funny. She has a degree the same as on the
show. I live very close a few blocks away from here. I met Jimmy
Carter at a book signing here. I managed to zip over here from
work."
For
more information about Mayim Bialik or her new book "Beyond
the Sling," visit her website at www.mayimbialik.net.
Related
Story: Motown
legend Jermaine Jackson autographs books at Vroman's in Pasadena,
CA
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
A
close-up of Bialik as she described her new book.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
Stacks
of her new book "Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life Guide to Raising
Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting Way"
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
When
her kids have a meltdown, Bialik tells them: "I can't hear
you when you use that voice. The answer to that voice is now."
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
About
100 people filled the Vroman's Bookstore for the special author
talk and signing.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com
Bialik
autographs a copy of her new book for one of her fans.
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