Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Tracy Madden Back From Maternity Leave

WOWT evening news co-anchor Tracy Madden is back from maternity leave. In an entry on her blog, Madden writes:

I wish I would have saved the email. I had dozens of chances. A Channel Six viewer sent the same message to six online dozens of times. Here's the gist of what it said. "While I like Tracy Madden, what is she doing anchoring the 6pm and 10pm newscasts? She's a mother and needs to be home with her children. It doesn't matter if her husband, mother, or a babysitter is watching the kids, it's not enough." The writer went on to say if Channel Six didn't make an anchoring change to honor my best interests, he would stop watching our news and encourage other people to do the same.

That message hurt more than all the comments on my lipstick, hair, and clothing combined. The focus on physical appearance goes along with the job, but this was the only time my parenting had come into question.

It's an issue top of mind as my maternity leave comes to an end. One week from today I'll be back at work, preparing to anchor newscasts. Part of me is excited to go back, see my co-workers, and tackle new challenges. The other part of me will have a hard time keeping the tears in check, realizing how much I'll miss my children. Thousands of parents go through it every day, and I doubt it ever gets easier.

Someone once told me just because you work doesn't mean you're a bad parent and just because you stay home doesn't mean you're a great parent. The truth is all parents work, whether it's at home or at a job. I refuse to debate which is "better or worse" because life isn't always an either/or situation. We love our children and do the best we can.

I explained those feelings in my reply to the man who emailed six online. I told him what I know is true. Whether I work outside the home or not, I will give parenting everything I have and give my children the greatest gift, unconditional love. Never did hear back from him. I guess he doesn't believe good manners are part of being a good parent.


WOWT morning co-anchor Malorie Maddox filled in while Madden was on maternity leave.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well put by Tracy - it's funny how when you call a moron to task, they get silent. I don't watch 6 much, but Tracy does a good job, she needs a new co anchor though, Knicley does not work well with her - she is fresh and he is so stale.

Anonymous said...

Shouldn't woman be barefoot and pregnant slaving over a hot stove to cook their man a good dinner when he gets home from work? This IS Nebraska.

Anonymous said...

I agree with "jr". Tracy is a good anchor and needs a new co-anchor. Bring back Trey Jones and move Malorie to weeknights to split it up with Tracy and you've got a refreshing newscast.

Anonymous said...

You'll not see "3" Jones on teevee in Omaha ever again, save for shilling for used cars or the like. Trust me - there's a reason he's not anchoring anywhere in town.

Anonymous said...

From the horse's mouth; Jones had a nasty temper and would let it go at anyone and everyone. Just another pretty boy wannabe that needed a good spanking.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Tracy and Sean. I don't understand why someone would single her out when there are thousands of other mothers in this city doing the same thing. At least she is able to split time with her husband to watch the kids, which is better than some people do. Lay off the lady.

Anonymous said...

I don't even know why she bothered to spend that much time addressing an obvious idiot. I would've laughed it off and told that d-bag to move into the 19th century already. Does he have an issue with "colored folks" doing news, too?

Anonymous said...

Not to be outdone, Amarosa on channel 7 was interviewed about her pregnancy. Apparently, she is supposed to have a child today.

Anonymous said...

Hey 11:36...
Who are you referring to when you say "3" Jones??

Anonymous said...

The "3" Jones reference is Trey Jones. Trey = 3 (the number). Also, Elictia is having twins, not one child. A boy and girl.

Anonymous said...

Any info on Michele Leach leaving/firing at 6?

Anonymous said...

Trey Jones was on channel 6, not 3. And where is he now? When did he leave?

Anonymous said...

I have seen Tracy at the grocery store with one of her kids, and by all outward appearances she seems to be a good Mom.

Anonymous said...

I don't judge this mother. Only she and the father can decide whether or not it would be better for her to spend time with her kids rather than a stranger. I'm just thankful I had a stay at home, caring mother.

Anonymous said...

Hey....TREY IS 3 ...TREY IS 3...TREY IS 3. That's the reference to 3 that 11:36 was making. We know that Trey did not work at 3. The average IQ of those posting on this site must be lower than I thought.

Anonymous said...

It's always easy to tell when things are otherwise quiet in this area, because trivial things like some pea-brain spewing a lot of bilge about an anchorwoman is getting far too much attention! I don't know Tracy & Sean very well, but about 2 weeks before the new baby was born I spent a Sunday afternoon with my kids at the Omaha Childrens Museum and saw their family there. Both are great parents, and being a father myself I know that it's very possible to balance work and family without neglecting either. And for what it's worth, channel 6's fossilized Knicely has served his time and needs to be prodded into moving on. Tracy is fresh, up-beat, and very bright. Having JK at the desk with his lame attempt at extemp, or ad-lib, speaking between stories is a drain on her positive energy. Hang in there Tracy! Don't let this get you down!!

Anonymous said...

"For what it's worth". OMG; four words that bring back terrible memories!!!

Anonymous said...

To 6:18 AM:
The opposite of "above", plus the opposite of "you".

Have a pleasant day.

Anonymous said...

To 5:55...
It was probably an honest mistake. You don't have to be rude and insulting about it. Instead of criticizing, you could answer the question of where Trey Jones went(if you know).

Anonymous said...

Probably to hell if some of his coworkers had their way...

Anonymous said...

First of all, it's not easy for some parents to stay home as much as they would like to stay at home with their children. It's just not in the financial cards. So any idiot that thinks mom should stay at home needs to go back to the 1950's. Yes, Tracy probably makes good money as does her husband, but maybe she enjoys working. Is that so hard for some people to believe. A woman who enjoys working! Oh my god!

Anonymous said...

For those Knicely-naysayers, what would you think of a Sean McMahon & Tracy Madden anchor team? You know, kinda like Bill & Julie, but with both as main anchors?