Joanna Kerns had no sooner landed the role of supermom Maggie Seaver on Growing Pains when she realized the job had created a crisis at home--her real life daughter was jealous of her TV children.
So to help her then 6 year old daughter Ashley cope with her own growing pains, Joanna brought her to work, making her part of the family. And the move couldnt have come any to soon for Ashley, who was already reeling from Mom's seperation from her father.
"There are issues a child cannot understand", says 33 year old Joanna. "Ashley overheard me talking about money. She offered to sell all her dolls. Children want to make it better, to get the parents back together. She wanted to mend the marriage."
Joanna was separted from producer-husband Richard Kerns--whom she has sinced divorced--when Growing Pains began two years ago.
And she was heartbroken to discovered that Ashley, who is now 8, was jealous that Mommy was now also "Mom" to three other children on TV.
Joanna got around that by taking Ashley to the studio whenever possible so she could get friendly with the show's young actors--Kirk Cameron, Tracey Gold, and Jeremy Miller--and realize she didnt have to fight for her mom's attention.
"Our shooting schedual allows me to be what i consider a good mom" says Joanna. "Three days a week I work from 10 to 6, two days it's from 9 to 7, and the day we tape the show, it's from noon until sometimes midnight.
"Ashley goes to parochial school and I'm very involved with her school programs, along with all the other parents. I have a nanny who lives in and drives Ashley to school, picks her up and takes her to the studio to be with me 3 days a week. So, Ashley knows what I'm doing pretty much all the time.
"I've worked ever since Ashley was born so I think she is accustomed to seeing me go off to work.
"Still, I got the job on Growing Pains just about the time her father and I seperated, and I think she felt hurt. It took alot of explaining."
Coincidentally, the pilot of the series where Maggie goes back to work after 15 years of raising her children. The youngest son thinks his mother doesnt love him as much as she does the other kids, with whom she stayed home.
"I said in the script, 'You like to play baseball right? That makes you feel good when you hit a home run. My going to work makes me feel good. Not that raising my family didn't make me feel good, too, but this is a little some extra.' "
Joanna hopes Ashley feels the same way, and she makes sure that they have plenty of private time together.
"Ashley knows I love acting and that it makes me feel better myself," she says. " I read to her at bedtime and during the day. Whether I have 10 free minutes or an hour, it's her time."
Having a famous actress for a mom has not inspired Ashley towards a similar career. "She doesnt want to be an actress, but she wants to be on The Johnny Carson Show", says Joanna. "I have impressed upon her that she'll probably have to work for the better part of her life, so she'd better find a career she truly loves."
Joanna, in fact knows about growing up with a famous family member. Her sister is 1964 Olympic swimming champion Donna de Varona.
Although Joanna feels confident that Ashley has some to grips with her TV role and is no longer jealous of her TV children, there are still some growing pains.
"Today, Ashley sees me getting alot of attention I'm sure she wishes would come her way, and I know she doesn't want to share her time with me," explains Joanna.
"People are considerate of our privacywhen we are shopping or in a restaurant, but when I play in celebrity tennis tournaments, I'm surrounded by people wanting autographs.
"I know Ashley doesn't like it. But there is no way I can avoid it and I hope Ashley understands it when I explain it to her. I think she will grow up to be more independent as a result."
Ashley sees her father almost every weekend since he lives close by and shares joint custody with Joanna.
"I know if she ever calls him and says 'Dad, I have to see you,' he would make the time to be with her,"says Joanna. "Richard and I know if there was anything remarkable about our marriage, it was our daughter."
