Actress Mayim Bialik – who plays Amy Farrah Fowler on the sitcom – shares two sons with ex-husband Michael Stone
As well as starring on one of the most popular sitcoms of the modern era, Big Bang Theory actress Mayim Bialik is also a full-time mother-of-two.
She’s also boasts a real-life degree in neuroscience – the same impressive profession as her on-screen character Amy Farrah Fowler.
Just saying…
However, last year the actor made a pretty startling revelation about the way she parented her children, confessing she never made them wear nappies when they were little (or ‘diapers’ – if you’re reading from across the pond).
For those unfamiliar with 48-year-old Mayim’s personal life – behind the scenes of California Institute of Technology, where her character also famously works – the TV star was previously married to husband Michael Stone.
The duo tied the know in a Victorian-themed Jewish ceremony in 2003, before going on to welcome two sons together, Miles and Frederick.
Though the couple went on to separate – announcing their divorce in 2012 – they continued co-parenting their children, who are now 18 and 16.
And speaking on The Howard Stern Show, actress Mayim – who first shot to fame on the CBS sitcom in 2010 – made an unexpected confession about allowing her children to evade nappies – even during their earliest years.
“My kids did not wear diapers,” she said.
“That’s called elimination communication. It’s actually separate from attachment parenting.
“Basically, babies are born giving signals when they pee and poop, I promise.
“And if you learn those signals and reinforce them, they will give them stronger and clearer, and we taught our kids to sign.”
Demonstrating the gesture she’d supposedly taught her two infants, she added: “This is the sign language sign for potty.
“By the time they were 12 months old, they were signing for potty. They couldn’t walk, talk or eat solids.
“They only breastfed, but they could sign for the potty before they could even walk or talk.”
Intrigued by the revelation, host Howard then asked for clarification.
“Is it the same theory with the dog – like dogs you can teach them to go to the bathroom outside?” he asked.
“You’re more training yourself to learnt the cues that the baby will give,” Mayim confirmed.
“And if you don’t reinforce them, a baby will stop giving you those cues,” adding: “It’s not for everyone, believe me.”
In another interview, however, the on-screen favourite admitted that it wasn’t always smooth-sailing, and that it was definitely a case of practice makes perfect.
Speaking to Hollywood Life in 2010, Mayim added: “Our little guy comes up to us and either tugs on our shirt or pants leg. At one point, he’d sit down and flap his wings like a small bird.
“That was his sign and if you keep reinforcing it, kids will keep giving it.
“We read Diaper Free by Ingrid Bauer, sort of a crunchy classic, that gives you all kinds of tips on how to pick up the signs.
“My husband thought I was crazy for wanting to try it, but now he’s a believer because he’s seen the proof in our kids.”
