No two motherhood journeys are ever the same, even among those that are working moms. Our paths and ways of doing this mommy thing are uniquely are own, and that is worth celebrating. There are some incredibly talented and brilliant mamas in our city that gracefully wear the hats of both professional and mom. This series will highlight a handful of these women, as they open up on the delicate balance between their two worlds.
The second local lady in this series we bring to you is Ms. Sheree Paolello! We got with her for a virtual interview and are excited to share some of her story and perspective on motherhood, being newly-ish married, and being one of the city’s {most beloved} news anchors with our Cincinnati & NKY community.
Tell Us a Little About Yourself
I am a mom to three boys and bonus mom to two more awesome kids. I’m also a News Anchor for WLWT in Cincinnati. I’ve been working in TV for almost 25 years. I love my career, but being a mom is the best job I have.
What’s Your Favorite Part of Being a Working Mom?
I think being a working mom makes me really APPRECIATE the time I have with my kids when we’re together. I never resent them. So, when I’m off, I try to be in the moment and just enjoy that one-on-one time no matter what it is. And, it goes both ways. I think when I’m home, my kids appreciate me. They still will run to me and give me a hug when I come home for dinner OR squeal when I tell them I’m taking the day off just to be with them. The other thing I really value about being a working mom is that I hope I’m setting an example for my kids that women can have a big job just like men. I want them to respect women and appreciate all that we do at home AND IN THE WORKFORCE.
What Ways do You Make Sure to Connect with Your Kids on an Intentional Level?
I FaceTime with my kids every night when I’m working, and I try to go home and have dinner with them a few times a week. I also think they know even though I’m working, they can call me at any time and I’ll stop what I’m doing to help them or talk with them, no matter what’s going on in their life. So, if they had a bad day at school or at practice, even though I’m not HOME, I’m still there for them. I’m still connected.
What is Your Greatest Achievement/Accomplishment in Motherhood?
My greatest achievement is that all of my kids are really good, kind, RESPECTFUL kids. You know, when you’re raising babies you don’t know how they’re going to turn out. My kids certainly are not perfect, and I’m sure plenty of mistakes are in their future. Every day is a work in progress. But, now that they’re becoming teenagers…. to see them be GOOD PEOPLE who care about OTHER PEOPLE… that makes me feel like I’ve done my job… like I’ve raised them right.
What is Your Greatest Achievement/Accomplishment in Your Career?
I grew up in Cincinnati and when I decided I wanted to be a journalist, I never dreamed I’d be doing what I love in my hometown at the highest level. There are only four Main Female anchors in town, and I’m one of them. That’s pretty special to me. But, I’m most proud of my work. Even though I anchor the nightly 5, 6, and 11pm news, I’m still a reporter at heart. I won an Edward R. Murrow award for an investigation I worked on for an entire year with my co-anchor Mike Dardis and I’ve won Emmy’s for my anchoring and reporting. There’s nothing better than feeling like your work made a difference and then being recognized for it by your peers.
Have You Ever had a Conflict of Passion between Your Kids and Your Career?
Yes.
What has been Your Toughest Moment of Wearing Both Hats of Professional and Mother?
Having to miss a game, a holiday, or special moment. My job can be very demanding, and there are those times when I get called into work or sent out of town for a story and I miss something special as a mom. That hurts. Sometimes I think it hurts me more than my kids. I can vividly remember times when I’ve been crying driving into work because I feel like I’m letting one of my kids down or I’m not there for THEM. That’s hard. I always tell young women, “You can have it all. You just can’t have it all at the same time. There are sacrifices you will have to make if you want to be a working mom.”
Thank you, Sheree, for sharing with us and for all you’ve given of yourself over the years to viewers in the Queen City!
Are you a working mom? How do you balance a career and kids?
