Birth of son was the "most terrifying moment" of Stephen Nichols' life

Actor Stephen Nichols knew that his life wouldn’t be without scary moments, but he didn’t plan on the worst one occurring during his son Aaron‘s birth 28 years ago.

All three of my children were born at home with certified midwives attending.  The scariest part was when my son, Aaron, was born.  No midwife … She didn’t make it in time.  I caught him myself.  That was the single most terrifying moment of my life.

Stephen, who is also dad to daughters Vanessa, 30, and Dylan Serena, 16, made sure that he was ready for his children’s births by reading everything in sight.

I read everything I could get my hands on.  Mostly books on natural-birthing techniques and such.

Continue reading to find out how Stephen and his wife Lisa named their kids, the best parenting advice he ever received and more.

How did you and your wife choose names for the kids?

We wanted to be surprised about the sex of the children, but wanted to talk to them in the womb.  Vanessa was named for Vanessa Redgrave.  If she had been a boy we were thinking maybe Elliot.  With number two and three, to make it easier to talk to them, we went with names that could work either way.  Boy-Aaron/Girl-Erin or Dylan, which was not gender specific.

What are your nicknames for the kids?

Pinky Pie, Sweetness, Mosely Molasses.

What is the best parenting advice you ever got?

The best parenting advice I ever received was, "You don’t have to have all the answers and when you don’t know what to do, simply love them."  Hubert Selby Jr. gave me that advice and I swear by it.

What kid activity do/did you enjoy participating in the most?

When the kids were small, I loved taking road trips withthem and camping.

What’s your least favorite parenting chore?

Discipline.  Having to ground them or take away privileges.

What one thing did you promise yourself you’d never say to your kid?

I never wanted to say, "You are bad" or, "You ought to be ashamed of yourself."  I think those are the most destructive things you can say to a child.  They take to heart whatever you tell them. I think I might have said bad girl or bad boy when I was afraid, when they had done something that put them in danger.

Source: Soap Opera Digest, June 17th issue; Photo by Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage.com

Comments

Dylan is actually a girl – Full Name is Dylan Selena.

- JC on June 9th, 2008

Awww what a fun interview! He plays Steve “Patch” on Days Of Our Lives, and it’s weird to see him not on the set, because I get so used to him with the eye patch! LOL! (He has an eye patch on the show)
Funny story…the other day my five year old walks into the room, and DOOL is on the TV, and he sees Steve and goes: “I didn’t know there was a pirate on your show!”
OMG, I was DYING laughing!!!!

- Emily on June 9th, 2008

Wow. I did not realize that he was old enough to have kids that age. He is still as yummy as he was 20 years ago. I had the biggest crush on him when I was little.

- Shan on June 9th, 2008

He sounds like such a cool dad. We had a homebirth (with a midwife), and my husband caught our baby, too!

- joy on June 9th, 2008

Oh my, I love him even more! He sounds like such a caring, loving, dotting father….alot like his character on days!!

- Isabel on June 9th, 2008

Wow! thats amazing…catching his own baby. Congrats!

he has a 30 year? wow!!!

- Stephanie on June 9th, 2008

I thought I knew who he was, but did not reconize him without the patch on his eye

- Katherine on June 9th, 2008

My sister-in-law, Michelle didn’t realize she was in the last stage of labor and was sitting on the toilet. When she realized the baby was coming… FAST… she screamed for her husband and he caught the baby, as Michelle stood up, by the legs ( baby was head first ) just before she fell in the toilet. I wish my labors were that easy. I KNOW when I’m in the last stage.

- Camilla on June 10th, 2008

That’s neat how one of his nicknames for his daughter is sweetness and he calls kayla sweetness on days..

- mandie on June 10th, 2008

Great article. He sounds like a great dad.

- Laura on June 10th, 2008

Steve Johnson’s sweetness will always be my Stephanie. His little sweetness. The chemistry between Stephen and Shelley is off the charts. I love the stephanie and steve relationship. Shelley Hennig is my girl and one day you will see i will marry her. I LOVE SHELLEY HENNIG!!!

Hey Stephen

CAN U ASK SHELLEY IF SHE WILL MARRY ME? TERRY her number 1 fan.

- terry on June 10th, 2008

Omg Camilla, I would have had a heart attack!

- terri on June 11th, 2008