You know NBC 5 anchor Meredith Land from her evening newscasts, but 12-year-old McCall and 8-year-old Alexander know her as mom. The 43-year-old journalist lives in Dallas with her husband Xan and two children. And when Land’s not prepping her kids’ lunches or preparing to broadcast the news right from her living room (a makeshift studio during much of the pandemic), she’s serving on the National Advisory Board of the Laura W. Bush Institute and the board of the Salvation Army North Texas.
Learn more about Land’s life off-screen below.
DFWChild: How has motherhood changed you as a person?
Meredith Land: I rarely babysat when I was a young girl, so I was a very nervous mother with my first child. I sweated all of the small stuff. She was a preemie, so that added to my anxiety. My son taught me to enjoy the journey and to laugh when things go off the rails. I would give anything for them to be little again!
C: What’s your superpower as a mom?
ML: Honesty and transparency.
C: Is there a golden rule that you try to live by?
ML: I always say, “When in doubt, don’t.” In other words, trust your gut. If you have the slightest hesitation with a behavior, decision or friendship, stand down.
C: What five words would you use to describe yourself?
ML: I’m a family-focused, loyal, honest, open-minded HAM! I love to laugh.
C: How would you describe your parenting style?
ML: My children are completely different, and I try to parent them individually. First and foremost, I encourage their relationship with each other. My sisters and I are all close, and when life throws a curveball, as it often does, they are who I turn to.
C: Who inspires you as a superhero mom?
ML: I’ll always say my mother. She was a stay-at-home mom and a listener. Still is. She’s the original Steel Magnolia. Her motto is, “What you tell a child, he or she believes.” She always put the good in us.
C: What’s the best advice you’ve been given from a fellow mom?
ML: Let your children choose their interests and their friendships.
C: What quality do you hope to instill in your children?
ML: Empathy. We can have a tough school conference, but if their teacher tells me they’re kind or they reach out to kids who are hurting, I’m most proud.
C: What was it like working from your home with two kids?
ML: Work and life collided during the pandemic, as I broadcasted nightly from our living room. I had to learn to give myself grace in the not-so-perfect moments. It’s been good for my children to watch how I work and see that it’s not just about my time on TV or the neat people I get to interview. There’s a lot of hustle behind the scenes, and they got to see that.
C: Do you struggle with mom guilt?
ML: Of course I have mom guilt. But I’ve become more honest with my children about why I work and the opportunities they’ve been afforded because of my career. Transparency instead of sugar-coating has been key.
C: What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
ML: I was a very shy child and teenager; I blossomed in college. My parents like to joke that they would have never guessed that I would “talk for a living.” I grew up a middle child, and my sisters shined brighter.
C: Have you learned anything new about yourself recently?
ML: How resilient I can be with technology. During lockdown, I raised my hand as an anchor, willing to learn how to broadcast from home off of an iPhone and WiFi. It was a huge learning curve, but I was determined to make it work.
C: What’s the most significant lesson life has taught you to this point?
ML: To enjoy the journey. Early on in my career, I was so driven to get to the next TV market. I remember Dan Ashley, an anchor and mentor in San Francisco, saying to me, “Meredith, enjoy the journey. You’ll get to where you want to be, but you’ll want to look back and have incredible memories.” Those words still echo in my head, through stressful career moments and as a mother.
C: How do you stay grounded?
ML: My children! Before they were born, my world revolved around my career goals. It’s been humbling to invest in their dreams and look forward to their milestones.
C: Have you thought about the legacy you want to leave?
ML: One of service. In the last few years, I have taken my family with me to volunteer and seen the impression it has left on my children. I overheard my daughter telling someone about the Salvation Army on Harry Hines, the warm meals and shelter they provide and the hope they give to the most vulnerable. I thought to myself, She actually got it. It clicked, and hopefully she’ll pass that on to her children.
Children’s Health, AT&T Discovery District and DFWChild Magazine join forces to celebrate SUPER MOMS leading up to Mother’s Day. From patient mothers and health care heroes to everyday working moms, we’re proud to celebrate the #SuperMoms who help defend and protect kids.
For more information visit redballoonleague.com.
Photo courtesy of Meredith Land.
