Molly Bernard I couldn’t survive the new mom life without her. Hilary Duff next to him.

On Friday, November 8, the 36-year-old actress chatted with PEOPLE after her first role as Rachel Dahl on Broadway. Cult of LoveA new show about the Christian Dahl family as they reunite for a chaotic Christmas dinner.

“I play Rachel Dahl, who is married to her oldest son, Mark. I’m Jewish, and that’s a little difficult for the hyper-Christian family we’re in,” Bernard tells PEOPLE. “It’s a really important example of whether or not Rachel and Mark are on the verge of change in their marriage.”

Bernard and his wife in February 2023 Hannah Lieberman They welcomed their first child,spoiled daughter.” She tells PEOPLE she couldn’t have gotten through the last two years without his advice. youth costar Duff, who is a mother to a daughter towns6 months, Mae James3 and Banks Violet5, with husband Matthew Koma and son Luca Cruz12, with ex-husband Mike Comrie.

Never miss a story — sign up PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter To stay up to date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling juicy stories.

“She gives me motherhood advice every day,” Bernard, godmother to Duff’s four children, tells PEOPLE. “I just call her ‘Mom,’ and I’ve even stopped saying ‘I’m sorry, I’m transferring to you.’ Just ‘Hi Mom!'”

When it comes to motherhood, she adds, “You can’t do it alone. It’s such a humbling, exciting experience. And you need not just a village, but a community of cheerleaders and people to do it with you.”

Bernard shares with PEOPLE that his daughter and Duff’s kids are best friends and that their age gap is “perfect.”

PEOPLE Puzzler puzzle is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

“I think my daughter is making good preparations for their new baby coming,” Bernard adds of Duff and Koma’s newborn Townes. “They’re obsessed with it. It’s amazing.”

Bernard tells PEOPLE that becoming a mother to a daughter has been “the most incredible experience of my life,” adding, “I know it’s cliché.”

“I was so scared of being a mom, so scary! And it’s the most wonderful, loving thing that’s ever happened to me,” she says sweetly.