Whether it’s on the set of WFAA’s Good Morning Texas, on the air waves of KVIL or even in her own home, Fort Worth resident Paige McCoy Smith is taking life head-on … her way. Known around town as the “Not So Perfect Parent,” Smith has made a name for herself being a real—and relatable—mom that gives women the freedom to be who they are: perfectly imperfect.
How did you come up with the name “Not So Perfect Parent”? I had just given birth to my first-born child. It was mid-afternoon and I was still in my pajamas. As I nursed my son, my attention wandered to the television. As if to mock me, there stood one of those perfect “can-do” women, touting her herbal honey made with fresh picked herbs from her organically grown garden. I scoffed at her audacity. Thank goodness I came to my senses before I threw the nearest thing at the television. I was inspired from that moment forward to bring some sanity and rational expectations into the lives of real women.
What’s a typical day like in your home? Well, I have three children now: Colt is 12, Luke is 7 and Victoria is 15 months. We recently adopted Victoria from Colombia, and with the addition of my recently launched radio show, it takes a lot more juggling and coordination. But a typical morning for me starts around 5 o’clock in the morning and there’s usually at least one child in my bed. I’m in the car within 20 minutes after I’ve woken up, heading to Dallas to make sure all the segments are ready to go. Then we have our morning meeting at 7:30am, go over to Victory Park to the studio, and it’s 3-2-1 and we’re on the air. On Wednesdays I go from WFAA to CBS radio to record the show [airs Sundays on 103.7 KVIL at 7am]. Then I head back home and my next job begins: mom!
Sounds like you have a great support system. Tell us about Shay. He is wonderful. We’ve been married since 1994. I don’t know what I’d do without him. We met because his older sister is married to my older brother; it’s all legal! [laughs] We never met until our siblings were married, and he was the groomsman and I was the bridesmaid that was lined up with him. A year to the day after we met we were engaged.
What’s some of the best advice you wish you had before deciding to adopt? [Adoption is] kind of like labor. Once your child is home, the pain of the process starts to dissipate. What’s hard is the lack of control you feel. You fill out a bunch of paperwork, then the rest is completely out of your hands. Do your research ahead of time, follow the protocol, trust the system, and finally, have faith.
What was it like to meet Victoria for the first time? The biggest fear any adoptive parent has is “can I love this child the way I love my other children.” But when they brought her to me, and handed her to me with my husband and two boys surrounding me, the fear washed away. I recognized her. My words were, “Oh there you are. Where have you been?” She was instantly family.
Why the name Victoria? That’s the name they gave her in the orphanage. We were going to name her something totally different, but when I heard her name I just loved it because she is such a victory.
How do the boys feel about their new sister? They just are crazy about her. The big contest every morning is for my boys to race to the nursery and try to get the first smile of the day. Bless her heart; I don’t think she’s every going to be able to have a date. They are extremely protective of her.
Do your kids watch you on TV or listen to you on the radio? Yes, but it’s given me no perks here in the house at all. I’m still mom. I’m still the one doing the laundry and all that.
Favorite food? Tex-Mex. Joe T. Garcia’s is my favorite spot, and my second would be Chuy’s.
Biggest splurge on your kids? Victoria and her clothes! When you have boys, after they reach the age of two, your options for clothes include the following: khakis, denim and shirts with trucks on them. There are so many clothes for girls. It’s becoming a problem for me. And, of course, when you get the clothes you have to get the matching socks, shoes and hair bows. I find myself sneaking them into my house now; it’s gotten ridiculous!
Coffee or tea? Neither. I’m a Diet Coke girl.
Best way to unwind after the kids go to bed? Bubble bath or a glass of wine. Or both!
Favorite guilty pleasure TV shows? Haha. I’m fascinated by Toddlers & Tiaras and Extreme Couponing.
Favorite quote? “Authenticity is the soul made visible.”
