Tune in on Mondays at 8:00pm ET/PT on ABC Family for “Switched at Birth”
Tune in on Tuesdays at 8:00pm ET/PT on ABC Family for “Pretty Little Liars”

How often do you think about the characters on your favorite TV series and what their off-screen lives are like? We had the opportunity to chat with some of moms of ABC Family…women who are moms both on- and off-screen. It many not be surprising, but these moms have shifted their careers to raise their children. And as moms, they care about their kids just as we do.

Marlee Matlin (Switched at Birth) and me

Marlee Matlin (“Switched at Birth”), Constance Marie (“Switched at Birth”), Holly Marie Combs (“Pretty Little Liars”), and Laura Leighton (“Pretty Little Liars”) were the four moms of ABC we mingled with. We chatted with the four ABC Family mom favorites at the moms' mixer. It was nice to spend an hour chatting about kids, families, and life a working moms. Did you know that actors have the same challenges raising kids that we do? Shocking, I know, since much of the world thinks these stars aren't human, too <insert eye roll>, but they face the same challenges regarding childcare, public schools, separation anxiety, and driving permits that the rest of us moms (and dads) face.

The four were down to earth and shared parenting advice and tips as well as commiserated over the challenges of being working parents. Certainly our mingling was more chatting than official interviewing, but it was refreshing just how candid and funny the ABC Family moms were! In fact, at one point, we got to talking about shoes and Constance and Marlee put their feet on the table to show off their shoes. Only real women do that.

Constance Marie and Marlee Marlin of “Switched at Birth” show us their shoes

It's funny, as group of bloggers, we're often tied to our devices, so of course we were all chatting and Tweeting during our mingling. Marlee told us how her kids are always on their phones, too, but not at the dinner table. She always tries to do family meals and set examples for her kids—and no devices at the table is on the list of examples she likes to set. I also have four kids like Marlee does, so I chatted with and can relate to Marlee on how difficult it can be to juggle schedules and activities for four kids. It's exhausting, daunting, and takes a lot of organization. She talked about how she uses a calendar app to coordinate schedules and activities. That's certainly a tactic I use!

Laura Leighton (Pretty Little Liars), me, and Holly Marie Combs (PLL)

While she'll always be Piper in my mind, Holly's role on “Pretty Little Liars” is one that is flexible. Holly and Laura talked about how ABC Family is great for working with actor's with families. Holly loves the fact that they accommodate family life. While Holly's the mother to three boys, and I only have one boy with my three girls, our kids are all about the same age, so I know how much it takes to work outside the home with young kids.

Photo credit: ABC FAMILY/ Kelsey McNeal

“Switched at Birth” Online

Official ABC Family “Switched at Birth” website:

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Twitter @ABCFsab #SwitchedatBirth

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Photo credit: ABC FAMILY/ Eric McCandless

“Pretty Little Liars” Online

Official ABC Family “Pretty Little Liars” website

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Twitter @ABCFpll

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Disclaimer: I was selected to attend an all-expense paid trip to LA courtesy of Disney and ABC Family to experience these incredible events, along with a group of 24 other bloggers. All opinions, excitement, and smiles are my own.

I'm Headed to Los Angeles for the THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS

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Jana

Jana Seitzer is a full-time mom to 4 amazing kids, wife, writer, photographer, marketer, designer, and social media maven. She loves to travel all over the world—solo and with her family—and tell stories about her travel adventures, adventures that often involve a glass of wine or whisky.