Molly Grantham is well known around Charlotte. Her involvement in our community is unmatched and her success as a News Anchor for WBTV is impressive. Molly is friendly and funny and her personality is contagious. She is smart and creative and incredible dedicated. I find her ability to multitask slightly intimidating as she does it so well.
Molly is doing exactly what she has always wanted to do and doing it beautifully. Her career is amazing, but nothing tops watching her as a mom. Molly has a beautiful daughter named Parker. Parker is precious and has a smile that lights up a room. Molly juggles her career and mommy-hood better than anyone I know. For these reasons, and so many more, I am proud to introduce you to my friend Molly!
Mom to: Parker Meade
Married to: Wes
Years lived in Charlotte: 9
When did you decide you wanted to be a News Anchor?
I always wanted to be a newspaper reporter. But after an internship at a TV station half-way through college, I fell in love with TV. Putting pictures to a story described something in a fast second, I sometimes still couldn’t do with five paragraphs of words. Never looked back.
What is the most fascinating story you have ever covered?
So many. So, so many. Find an hour and glass of wine and let’s sit and talk.
How do you balance being a mom and a full-time career?
Do I balance it? Does anyone? Doesn’t every woman look at every other active woman and wonder if she isn’t somehow getting a bonus prize of a 27-hour day when you’re only stuck with the basic 24? I don’t know how I balance it. I got Parker on a schedule really early on, sleeping through the night by 10 weeks. And I know she’s been great ever since. But when I hear myself say that, I kinda hate it. I hate that everything ends up being about scheduling and a calendar and hours in the day. But there’s no way around it. I love Parker, and I love my job, so knowing those two truths… I make both work.
When do you sleep!?
Well … not often. But I’m okay with that. I’m one of those crazy people who never needed a lot of sleep to get through the days.
What do you love about your job?
That it’s fast-paced. That every day is different. That I can get into things. Like, really get into them. I love being in touch with all kinds of people on a constant basis (thank you Facebook/Twitter). And, I love that it’s fun. It really is fun. I’m a news nerd and can keep up with the serious and the frivolous as it happens. Not many jobs keep you constantly busy, constantly aware and challenge your mind and heart all at the same time.
What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment as a News Reporter?
Being named News Reporter of the Year for the Carolinas in 2011. That title is an obviously great feeling. But to be honest … the more meaningful accomplishments are hearing from people who quote something specific I’ve reported. There is no bigger form of flattery than realizing someone listened to what you said. You are extremely involved in our community.
What is personal passion when it comes to “giving back”?
I was raised to always reach out to people. Cancer hit my family hard. I get worried it will hit someone close to me again. Actually, I don’t worry about “if”. I worry “when”. I sometimes wonder who it will be next. That’s a terrible thought to have, and maybe an even more terrible one to admit. But, it’s true. I want a cure to be found. Because I’m no brainiac scientist able to find it myself, I get out there to fundraise and create awareness. My job definitely makes that easier. But, with or without WBTV, trying to get involved in certain things is just part of me.
What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment as a mom? /
That Parker is happy. She only just turned one, but is already super-social, curious, determined and independent. She has tons of personality and smiles big. There’s a long way to go, but I’m proud of her being everything she already is.
What is the most important lesson you have learned since becoming a mommy?
Balance. If I’m not happy and not able to be me, Parker won’t be happy. So I’ve learned not to feel guilty if I can’t be with her all the time.
SUV or mini-van?
SUV.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Sitting somewhere with my extra few laugh lines, re-reading this blog and wondering how I had fooled my own self into thinking I had it together.
Favorite thing about living in Charlotte?
Its big-littleness.
Could not live without my…
Coffee machine. It grinds the beans every morning. Count me obsessed.
