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 MetroMom
Heather Hays
Mom, Fox4 News
Anchor, Former Miss Hawaii
**Meet Heather at the April 19, 2008 MetroMoms'
Making A Difference
event.
MB - What is your most memorable moment of becoming a mom?
I have memorable moments every single day (I keep a journal to make sure I don't forget anything). But one of the moments that really stands out is when my daughter, Emmy, showed me a simple act of sharing that brought tears to my eyes. She was about 9 months old - eating Fruit Loops on the kitchen floor while I did dishes, when all of a sudden she started crawling toward a back bedroom. I followed quietly behind her - and watched her stop at the bed where our chocolate lab Rosco was resting. Then I noticed Emmy's fists were closed and I thought, "What a strange way to crawl." That's when she opened one fist and gave the dog a Fruit Loop. Then opened the other hand - and ate one herself! It was SO sweet!!
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MB - Congratulations on your pregnancy! How are you preparing for having two under two?
I am trying to get rest now because I know it will be hard to come by later, but that plan doesn't really seem to be working!! Emmy turns one in April - and she's so adorable - there's no way I could nap if she's not!! Her spirit and smile charge me up even when I am exhausted!
My husband, Jeff, and I have talked about just how much busier our lives are going to be when our new baby girl, LilyRae, arrives this summer - and so we are spending as much family time with Emmy as we can.
And we are getting her excited by finishing LilyRae's nursery well ahead of time so Emmy can hopefully understand that her best friend will be here in June!
MB - What is a typical day in your life?
There really is nothing typical in any mom's life!! But - there are some things that we try to do every day. Emmy, Jeff and I eat breakfast together. We can't have dinner time because of my FOX4 work schedule - so instead we have family mealtime in the morning. Then Dad goes to work and Emmy and I watch Barney, read books, and have play time before her nap time. That's when Emmy's nanny comes and I get ready for work.
I am at FOX4 from 2 until about 10. Of course, sometimes the work hours are much longer with breaking news when we have extended coverage - or with major events like the March Primary Elections where we were live streaming on the web for seven hours! I anchor the 6 and 9 p.m. newscasts - Monday - Friday. But then we also do special events - like the Komen Dallas Race for the Cure which we broadcast live from NorthPark Center. I have been part of that FOX4 broadcast for 4 years now and it is always a moving and memorable day for me!
Typically after the 9 p.m newscast - it's back home to a wide awake Emmy. She is on my schedule so she doesn't go to sleep until about midnight. So Jeff and I catch up on the day's events while I grab a snack and Emmy plays in her Tupperware cabinet in the kitchen. Then it's a little more Barney - and night night time - for all of us!
Then we wake up - and do it again!
MB - What are your favorite activities as a family?
We love to travel and just recently go back from Hawaii - where Emmy fell in love with the beach! But we also love strolling through the Dallas Arboretum. Emmy just had her first Easter Egg Hunt there - and we got some wonderful photos in the colorful tulips.
MB - What advice can you give to moms about juggling work, family and other commitments?
Balance those things as best you can. Whether you work in or outside the home, you know that sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. Like me, you have probably been up at 1 a.m.
while everyone else sleeps - washing bottles, picking up toys, getting in one last load of laundry. I am still learning that those things can wait - that rest is important, and that we have to take care of ourselves, otherwise, we are no good to the people who love us and count on us.
But I also know that my volunteer commitments are important - and I don't want to let go of those things. I have worked with
CONTACT Crisis Line for 7 years - and I know that at outreach events - if I can touch one person and let them know that there is someone to listen if they are ever in need, then I feel like I have accomplished something.
I lost my fiancé 11 years ago to suicide - and since then have written a book about suicide awareness - and that's why I volunteer with CONTACT - to help those in need.
My family, my career, my volunteer work - all those things make up who I am. It's important to me to hang on to all of those things.
MB - What advice can you give to moms about becoming involved in the community?
It's important to follow your passion and your heart. And, yes, much of that goes to our families, but you have to remember what drives you. If it is children, perhaps you can volunteer at the local library to read stories. Take your own children with you. Or go to a senior citizens center and bring your children - teach them about aging and taking care of others. My mom has also volunteered and helped the homeless. At a very young age, she would take us with her to feed the homeless. Giving back is something I hope to pass on to my own daughters.
MB - What is the best advice you received about being a mom or raising a child?
Sleep when the baby sleeps.
But do I take that advice? No! But I sure try!!
MB - Do you have a motto you would like to share with other moms?
Is "Hang in there" appropriate?? I am kind of kidding!! But, seriously, I don't know that I have a motto - but I do pray every night - alone and with my daughter. Keeping my faith strong, keeps me and my family strong. I never want to take that for granted.
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