Patricia Heaton On Her Relatable New Role

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Patricia Heaton is poised for a return to the small screen in the upcoming ABC sitcom The Middle, and like her character in Everybody Loves Raymond she’ll again be playing a mom. “I relate to every single thing,” the 51-year-old actress and mom-of-four tells Entertainment Tonight. “This is a very comfortable character for me to be in.”

Case in point? In one scene, Patricia is depicted putting breakfast together in a hurry by microwaving pancakes for her children. It is a frenzied state of being she recalls all too well. “I don’t do it so much anymore, but when the kids were little and I was working a lot, that was totally me,” she admits. “Although we did, like, toaster waffles more.” Her revelation — and her new character — is something she hopes other women will also relate to.

“Moms [are] feeling harassed in having to do everything, do everything really quickly and always feeling inadequate because everything you see on TV, in the magazines, is how you are supposed to prepare everything, and it’s supposed to be fresh and organic. You just don’t have time for it, and you are exhausted. It’s exactly what we all go through.”

Patricia and her husband of 19 years David Hunt are parents to Sam, turning 16 next month, John Basil, 14, Joseph Charles, 12, and Daniel Patrick, 10 ½.

The Middle premieres Wednesday, September 30 at 8:30 p.m. on ABC.

Source: Entertainment Tonight

– Missy

Comments

Oh my goodness! I cannot believe how old her boys are! I remember the last time I saw their picture was when the youngest was about four. I would have never guessed her oldest son is 16!

- Jess from Ohio on August 22nd, 2009

Four boys? Wow!! I’m surprised she still doesn’t feel frazelled.

- robinepowell on August 22nd, 2009

I love how all 4 of her boys have very strong/classic names: Sam, John, Joseph, Daniel

- Mia on August 23rd, 2009

Mia, I agree, but am biased, as mum of a Sam, lol. I like Daniel too, and Joseph, but prefer shorter names so prefer the name Joe, like Kate Winslet’s son (fairly sure he’s just Joe Mendes, not short for Joseph, but could be mistaken?!). Am sure she’s a busy woman! Always liked her on Everyone Loves Raymond, and can relate to her comments regarding feeling like you have to live up to a perfect standard as mum/feeling inadequae. It would be busy with 4 growing lads, I only have the two and it has its moments for sure…!

- Sam & Freya's Mum on August 23rd, 2009

I’m shocked that she’s 51–she’s always seemed so much younger to me. Love her boys’ names!

- bungalowbliss on August 23rd, 2009

I, personally, find it hard to believe that she feels relatable to everyday Moms. I mean, hasn’t she had quite a few cosmetic surgeries done to “improve” her body after having her children? That’s fine – and yeah, she’s hot for her age – but come on. Where is the realness?

- Michele on August 23rd, 2009

Michele, I don’t know where you’re from, but here in southern California most “real” moms that I know have had some sort of cosmetic procedure done. It’s nothing unusual, and it doesn’t make them any less of a mother than a person who’s never had work done. But then again, I try not to judge people based on their looks or the investment that they put into their looks. I don’t see how it affects their ability to parent.

- shalay on August 24th, 2009