Jamie-Lynn Sigler Says 'Being Open and Honest' Is Key to Parenting: 'I Don't Try to Pretend' I'm 'Perfect'

As any mom knows, parenting isn’t all rainbows and sunshine all the time — and Jamie-Lynn Sigler‘s experience is no different.

As The Sopranos alum tells PEOPLE in a new segment for Celeb Parents Get Real, she and husband Cutter Dykstra have their work cut out for them with their 3½-year-old son Beau Kyle.

“We’re dealing with major bedtime battles right now that have cost all tears from all of my family members,” explains Sigler, 36. “Bribery on all levels [to get him to sleep by himself].”

“He’s in this phase where he wants to sleep with Mommy and Daddy, and no matter what happens, he ends up in our bed at 2 or 3 a.m. — which, honestly, I don’t mind, ’cause I know those days are limited,” she confesses.

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One thing that helps the star when parenting gets extra tough? Just being candid with the people she’s closest with, and knowing she’s not alone in the challenges of motherhood.

“The thing that helps me most is just talking to my girlfriends about it,” Sigler says. “I think being really open and honest about what you’re dealing with [is important.] I don’t try to pretend that I’m doing it perfect and that things are all smooth and wonderful.”

“It’s tough, especially with a toddler,” she admits. “But I want him to be strong-minded and I want him to be the way he is, but there’s definitely moments where I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing a lot of the time.”

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In the same vein of parental honesty, Sigler — who was been similarly candid in the past about other life obstacles, including her ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis — admits she takes full advantage of today’s kid-friendly technology when it comes to dinnertime.

“Mealtime usually involves an iPad. I know it’s not the best thing, but that’s how I can cook, that’s how he can stay occupied and then we all eat together as a family,” she explains. “I cook probably six out of seven nights a week.”

When Beau isn’t being entertained, he’s entertaining others — just like his mom used to do when she was a little girl. “Anytime anyone comes over, he requests that they all sit down and he does a performance,” Sigler shares.

“His performance usually consists of performing some sort of Justin Bieber song because he’s obsessed with Justin Bieber,” adds the mom of one and Serta partner. “I was very much like that as a child. I was always singing and dancing in front of family and guests.”

Sigler’s biggest surprise since becoming a mom to Beau (how much “more self-aware” she’s become, she shares) goes hand-in-hand with her best quality as a parent.

“I’m really able to get down on his level. I’ll get down on the floor and pretend I’m a princess or pretend I’m a superhero or I’m the Joker and he’s Batman,” the Guys with Kids alum explains.

“I’m good about leaving my phone in the other room and giving him my full attention, because I want him to know that he has it.”