Peter Bergman: “I passed out” during daughter’s birth

Actor Peter Bergman, 54, was unable to be in the delivery room during his son Connor’s birth, but he was there when daughter Clare, now 18, arrived. Although, he wasn’t exactly awake for it.

Both were C-section deliveries, but when Connor was born, dads weren’t allowed in the delivery room during the procedure.  Three years later, it was okay, but I wasn’t much help because I kind of passed out.  I didn’t handle the blood terribly well.  At one point, [my wife] Mariellen said, ‘Can we make at least this part about me?’

The Young and The Restless star loves having his kids resemble him, but there is one trait he wishes that they didn’t have.

All of Mariellen’s brothers and sister are redheads; all of my aunts and uncles, except for one, have red hair; both of my grandparents are redheads, both of Mariellen’s parents were redheads, but both of our kids have my mousy brown hair.

Continue reading to find out how Peter told his kids about the birds and bees and more.

How did you pick out your children’s names?

I had read Leon Uris’ book Trinity the summer before Connor was born and the main character had that name. I always liked Sam, but Sam Bergman sounds like a furrier.  Clare had always been a favorite of mine because Mariellen’s grandmother was from the County Clare in Ireland.

How did you tell your kids about the birds and bees?

Connor and I had a chat in the car.  He didn’t have to look me in the eye for any of it.  Once I got to the very end with sharing what I thought was a pretty profound talk, he asked, "Is Pavilions a grocery store?"  He was clearly not impressed with the depth of my speech.

What’s the best parenting advice you ever received?

A really smart woman I live with said, "Never comment on your daughter’s weight."

What children’s movie have you seen over and over?

The Little Mermaid.  I knew that thing in and out.  I genuinely loved it, but I saw it so many times that I went insane.

What is one thing you promised you would never say to your kids?

That I would never, ever, in front of them, judge their friends.  I never said anything, no matter what I thought.   They’re going to make their own impressions and they don’t need me adding to it.

Which TV father can you relate to?

Ward Cleaver on Leave It To Beaver because there is an earnest, forthright nature to him, but he’s also a little befuddled.  He’s a good breadwinner and a solid dad, but the family seems to be waiting for him to catch up.

Source: Soap Opera Digest, June 17th issue; Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com