A few weeks ago, a sweet reader named Nikki sent in some great questions. With all the craziness, I hadn’t had time to answer them, but this week we sat down for another video blog. Her questions covered everything from Days of Our Lives and fitness to regrets and goals. In fact, there were so many that we had to split it up (so come back next week for Part 2!).
Thanks, Nikki, for the great questions … and keep them coming!
Hi Mary Beth,
I really enjoyed your video blog. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself. It has been a joy getting to know you through your blog and Instagram. You are a bright spot in my life. I too am optimistic and have no regrets. I keep reinventing myself as well and keep moving forward. I do my best to be healthy and happy. I can understand your feelings about letting go of your kids. I am just now dealing with those feelings with my first child leaving home. It is hard for me to let her go but I know it is the natural progression of childhood. I did my best preparing her to make it on her own and I’m so proud that she feels that she is ready to go. It breaks my heart to see her go(I’ve cried many tears) but then my heart is full to see her grow into this beautiful young lady who is ready to spread her wings and fly! I’m tearing up as I write this lol. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I think you are a beautiful soul and thank you for shining your light.
P.S. I too love watching the old videos of S&K and loved how Stephen played Steve with all that bravado. I’ve always loved your portrayal as Kayla too. Strong, spirited Irish girl! I’m one of those too lol. I also love when a guy grabs you and just takes you in his arms and kisses you the way you should be kissed! Steve knows how to do it right! Best wishes for a long, happy and healthy life to you and your family. Much love😘
Hi Mary Beth,
Thank you so much for doing this.
I have a difficult conversation coming up with my boss.
Your tip on dealing with difficult people is so wise and cool I think.
Kill them with kindness and confront them in a kind way.
Sometimes I really need to remember that when I think people aren’t nice…
Ps
I’m so glad you did ATWT because otherwise I probably never would have known you because I live in Holland and we don’t have Days or GH..
Hi Mary Beth! I really enjoyed watching this! Thank you.
Thank you for another great blog Mary Beth, always love your videos, you are so inspirational, I must start thinking like you.
Mary Beth,
Loved all of the answers on the blog today!!! First, I am so glad that you loved the flowers! They came from the Pasadena Florist, Jacob Maarse, whom Mandy recommended. Let me just say, she was wonderful to work with in setting that up and I hope you were surprised. I can see why you are such good friends with her, she’s amazing. I chose the Queen for a Day arrangement because they reminded me of you! Like many, I hoped you would be Queen for the day on Emmy night and I am so thrilled that happened for you!!
I think the blog answer that hit home the most was the response about dealing with your child’s senior year. I will have a senior in the fall and a “bonus baby” toddler, so I am definitely dealing with letting go, change in attitude and kissing Boo-Boos. I love how you encourage parents to nurture their relationship, as children do grow up and move away. Oh, and the sandwich sounds delicious!!
Loved the answer of living life looking towards the future and not dwelling on the past, mistakes or regrets. Dealing with difficult people with kindness is such a great approach and sometimes tough to do!! Your positive out look inspires us all to be better people.
As a Labor and Delivery nurse, I am thrilled that you had wonderful nurses for your three births. That’s the way it should be, since there are very few moments in life that top when your children are born. There’s a lot of lifting too though!!
We definitely see your drive, hard work and commitment to making Kayla, the best she can be, even in storylines that are difficult. Your work with Stephen is so polished and we fans benefit from the love and friendship that you share on and off screen. So thank you for giving us your absolute best!!
I know, your Steve and Kayla fans are wanting a reunion like yesterday (Hint, Hint?) But, Rafe, WOW, you are a lucky woman to see him and smell him!! Just say No to Fynn!!
Can’t wait to see the conclusion next week…
P.S. Why do I feel like I’m cheating on a test because I know the questions??? :~)
I love your vid blogs the most! You are just so down to earth with great advice! I would love advice on raising teenage daughters as I now have 2! (Almost) and a 2 year old!! God has a sense of humor!! Looking forward to next Thursday, love Plank Day!! I would love to see your partner patchman in another with you! Yall are just too cute!💛💛
Thanks for doing this blog every week. I especially enjoy these video blogs! I love how you are so down to earth, so honest & chat with us like we’re all a group of great friends! I look up to you so much. One of my favorite quotes is: I do not regret the things I’ve done, just those I did not do. That’s why I’m always on the go & always doing! Life is too short for regrets. Thanks again & I can’t wait for Part 2 next week!
Thanks for the vlog Mary Beth. It came after a trying time with my 14-year old son. He is a handful, that boy…brilliant, strong-willed, handsome (he’ll tell you, just ask), and so very brave. This kid is a survivor growing up without a Dad.
He came out to his Mama at the age of 13 after enduring years of brutal bullying that he kept secret. He is going to be an extraordinary man some day. In the mean time, he continues to greet me each evening shouting about the injustice of loading the dishwasher in that creaky teenage boy voice. This too shall pass.
My daughter still likes me. but, she’s only eleven.
Peace & Love from a Mama still in the trenches!
Hi Mary Beth,
Another great video blog! I love the Q & A’s and thanks to Nikki for the great questions. I will look forward to next weeks.
Great advice & insight; as a mom of a 16 yr old, my hubby and I try to find time to be “alone” and have a life separate from our daughter. But it takes effort and time. Being a mom is tough work, but man those teenage years……..urgh.
Always enjoy your work, but my favorite is definitely your work as “Kayla.” Steve and Kayla are the only reason I check in with Days. Your fans appreciate you both so much.
Love this, so much of it is my everyday life right now. SO needed this today!! Thanks so much for sharing your perspective!! Funny during the 80’s I always looked up to your character and now through all of these online outlets I can look up to you both now. 🙂
Difficult people! Yes, I always TRY to kill them with kindness and tell my kids the same and to really try to look into what is going on in those people’s lives that makes them so difficult (of course we can’t always know) and TRY to understand their situation. The whole “#kindnessis” thing really helped me to refocus on this.
Flipping houses would be so fun. Let’s do it! 🙂
I always tell my kids “there are no regrets just lessons learned”.
Senior year…Oh my. Yep, tomorrow is my son’s last day of high school. Like every thing you said has played out here this year!! It’s definitely been on of those years and letting go has been the biggest challenge of my life thus far! I am so ready for him to go out and do great things, but at the same time…he’s my baby boy!!! 🙁 🙁 🙁 Hearing your story gives me hope lol.
It took my husband and I years to realize just how important those date nights are with kids at home. With all the kid’s activities and differing work schedules it can be hard to make it happen but even just an hour alone makes such a difference!
Rafe…hmmm yea I remember someone brought him up at the event in November, something about him smelling good? Good choice!
Nikki thank you for these wonderful questions and Mary Beth for all of your down to earth answers!! I can’t wait for part two! 🙂
Another great blog. I just can’t chose a favorite between your video blogs, recipes, inspirational and family stories because I love them all! So very happy you started plankblog and are sharing a part of yourself.
Thank you very much Mary Beth♥ Always a fan!
Love your blog, great set of question and loved the answers. You could be the new generation LUCY. Thank you for giving me permission as a parent to go on dates with my man, and how in the world did you and Michael find time for Fri & Sat dates WOW! I have found it is easier now to find the time since the kids are older, and only one left at home. Just saying if you ever become a motivational speaker, I would also pay good money to hear you; you have inspired me throughout this year with your words and advice. Loved that your advice for handling tough people was to handle them with kindness………kindness became such an important part of the daily life in my classroom b/c of that post about kindness and where have the crayons gone. Once again thank you for providing a glimpse into your life!
Thanks Nikki for some great questions! I love the video blog! You are so real and down to earth and make people want to be better! Keep up the good work and of course get back with Steve!
I love this video blog Mary Beth!…always love it when you answer fans questions!…Thanks Nikki, you had some fantastic questions for MB! You are a delight to watch Mary Beth! This plankblog really makes my day every Thursday! I wake up looking forward to plankblog day! Thanks Mary Beth!
What a great blog with such wonderful questions from Nikki! Loved your answers! I took away so much from this video. I definitely think you should be a motivational speaker!! You have such a natural talent of connecting with people and inspiring them.
I so agree with not looking back and having no time for regrets. It’s in the past and there is nothing you can do about it, so no need to dwell on it. Besides, I think life experiences have a way of making us who we are and helping us grow.
We have hit the teenage years at our house, so there will be a lot of learning how to let go from everyone. But I love seeing the wonderful people my girls are becoming.
Thank you for the great Q&A!! looking forward to Part 2 next week.
Thanks for such honesty in your replies to the questions! I love that you give permission to spend time without your children. As they get older we have found that is easier to do! Wow 2 date nights a week that is good, we shoot for one and hope it happens. I would pay good money, bc I don’t think I have any bad money to see you as a motivational speaker…love PLANK and there are so many subjects that are so self motivating….love the advice on KINDNESS that became a challenge within myself, my family, and my classroom and we are trying to implement it into the struggles of daily life. I love that you are transparent and honest with us the fans.
Love your blogs❤ I so admire you and would love to meet you in person….I have been a Steve and Kayla fan forever ! You Rock….
Mary Beth,
Always love your blogs,
but your video blogs are
a favorite. You captivate me
with your stories.
Nikki asked
wonderful questions…loved your
answers. You’re so down to
earth & real.
Looking forward to next week
for part 2!
Thank you for another awesome
Plankblog!! 😃
Hi Marybeth
Thank you to Nikki for sending in the questions. I must admit that these are my favorite on Plank.
Your comment about having Friday date night with Michael made me stop and think. I rarely spent time alone with my husband as my children were growing up. Last year was the first time we went on vacation without our children. We went to Las Vegas to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary. I felt guilty but had a fantastic time. We are doing it again in 2 days to Cancun to celebrate our 29th anniversary (May 21st). We decided to make it a yearly tradition now. We take our children on a separate vacation.
My children are a few years younger than yours so I am just starting to have them leave the nest. Our oldest son purchased a home and moved out. Our daughter is staying at the beach with girlfriends for the summer. However, at the age of 40 we decided to have another (what were we thinking? I say in jest). There is a 14 year age gap. Our job would be done at this point because both of our older children are done college. So yes, I experience lots of “deja vu” moments, “Didn’t I already go through football, or middle school, now the start of high school again (yikes!)”. Still, he keeps me young and I would do it all over again. However, this time my husband and I are spending more time together.
So although we spent the bulk of our marriage inclusive of our children and never having time without them, I most definitely see the benefit to “date night”. Change is a good thing. We will celebrate 35 years together similar to yourself in July. So I look forward to them all leaving. However, if you asked me that in November when my son first moved out, I definitely would have given a different response. It required my getting used to it and as you stated holding on and hugging him a little bit longer while struggling to hold back tears when he left.
Mary Beth this made me smile. I nominate you for cutest human! (If there’s an Emmy for it, you deserve to take it home, hee). This vlog felt like I was sitting and chatting with an old friend….SO Love the vlogs!! Thank you for taking the time to do this. And great questions Nikki!
You are hilarious……that is all. Rafe!! Ha Ha!! Grrrrraaahhhh!!!
Great video Mary Beth! Made my day so much better already, can’t wait for next week!😊
I love your optimistic outlook on life, and all of your life tips, they are so helpful and motivating! I could totally see the motivational speaker gig working out!
Lol and also, we are just going to stick with Rafe being friendzoned for a relationship with Kayla because that poor guy just needs to find a woman who will stay with him forever. And we know they Patch and Kayla will never permanently be apart!💕
I wanted to tell you that I love your blog and your video chats. Thank you for being so real and transparent. You inspire me to be a better person!
These were good questions…and naturally- great answers. Why am I not surprised. Thanks Mary Beth and Nikki!
I always thought that Young MBE could have played Golden Lucy in a biopic. I can really see the resemblance.