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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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