Angela Anderson

Program director/news director, WGIr

By Suzanne D'Amato
NH Mirror Correspondent

When working mom Angela Anderson interviewed nearly four years ago for the program and news director positions for Manchester’s WGIR news-radio station, her enthusiasm piqued when the general manager described the station’s culture as “family first.”

Courtesy Photo

“WGIR encourages a ‘happy at home – happy at work’ philosophy,” Anderson said. “It’s one of the reasons why I work there.”

Anderson lives in Nashua with her husband, Peter, and daughters, Brenna, 13, and Martha, 12.

Although Anderson’s schedule would be grueling for many, she said it helps balance her career with her family.

Anderson goes to bed before 9 p.m. – before her daughters do – and rises at 3:30 every morning. Her work day begins at 4:15 a.m., when she arrives at the station to write the news. She’s on the air from 5 to 9 a.m. to co-anchor the news and conduct interviews with local broadcast personality Charlie Sherman. Off the air, she’s responsible for the station’s operations.

Anderson’s work day usually ends between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. At home, she takes a quick nap “to take the edge off” and then greets her daughters by 3:15 p.m., when they come home from school. Next, it’s time for Anderson to chauffeur her daughters to their many activities, including softball, swim team, Girl Scouts and soccer.

“I write everyone’s schedule in a big family calendar. They’re busy kids, but they enjoy their activities, which helps me meet other parents,” she said.

What are Anderson’s other “secrets” for maintaining a balance?

“Technology helps a lot. I carry a BlackBerry, so I can work from home and communicate with my office when I need to,” Anderson said.

Perhaps Anderson’s best balancing asset is Peter, her husband of 16 years.

”My husband is great,” Anderson said. “We divide and conquer. Peter takes responsibility for our kids when I can’t. It’s a partnership. I’m very lucky, and I know that.”

What is the worst part of the balance? According to Anderson, “It’s getting up at 3:30 a.m. each morning. Even in bad weather, I have to be at work on time.”

Despite her best efforts, Anderson sometimes experiences that age-old malady – “parental guilt.”

“I have to miss one of my daughter’s field trips or concerts every once in a while,” she said. “Sometimes I have to work on a Saturday, so I will bring my daughters with me, and they will play on the computer. Even Peter feels guilty when, occasionally, he has to miss one of our daughters’ activities.”

Anderson offered advice for other busy parents trying to “do it all.”

“First of all, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Second, don’t be afraid to say ‘no.’ You can’t do it all. And third, teach your kids to do laundry! My 13-year-old likes to cook, and she makes dinner for us once in a while.”

For Anderson’s rare moments of free time, she said, “I like reading trashy mystery novels because I read a lot of serious stuff for work. We also ski together as a family, even though I can’t keep up with my kids on the slopes! In the summer, we visit family who live near Lake Winnipesaukee. And … I sleep whenever I can!”

Suzanne D’Amato is a freelance writer who lives in Bedford.