Note: This interview was conducted on October 8, two days prior to the arrest of Dr. Wendy Osefo and her husband Eddie Osefo on fraud charges.

Dr. Wendy Osefo, known for her role on Real Housewives of Potomac, eagerly joined Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition without hesitation. “It was an opportunity that comes around once in a lifetime,” she remarked. Understanding the show’s focus on family dynamics, Osefo knew she needed her family by her side. “Unlike Real Housewives of Potomac, Wife Swap is all about the family interplay,” she noted. Fortunately, her husband Eddie and their three children, Karter, Kruz, and Kamrynn, were enthusiastic about participating. “The kids are used to cameras after six seasons on Potomac, so this is just another day for them,” Osefo added.

In the show, Osefo exchanged lives with Alethea Shapiro from Naples, Florida. Shapiro, a free spirit with a love for animals, practices what she calls “low-demand parenting,” allowing her children autonomy over choices like bedtime and diet. In contrast, Osefo runs her household with a strict routine and tight schedule. “Watching the episode made me realize just how intense my schedule is,” Osefo said, chuckling. “It was definitely a vulnerable moment, but I’m thankful I got to share it.” She also mentioned that she consistently starts her day at 5:35 AM, without exception.

Osefo found it heartwarming to discover that Eddie missed her absence while she managed a new household in Florida. “Sometimes, you don’t fully appreciate what you have until you experience something different,” she reflected. The swap made the Osefo family recognize their deep love and appreciation for each other and underscored the importance of integrating “fun” into their lives. “You shouldn’t take life too seriously,” Osefo advised. “Cherish the moments as they come.”

Dr. Osefo connected with Decider via Zoom to delve into her experiences on Wife Swap, her interactions with the Shapiros, and more.

DECIDER: Dr. Wendy, you have a beautiful home, a thriving career, and a lovely family. Why, oh, why would you want to go on Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition?

DR. WENDY OSEFO: Why not? It’ was one of those once in a lifetime experiences, but it wasn’t something I was able to do by myself. Unlike Real Housewives of Potomac, Wife Swap centers around the family dynamic, and it was an amazing opportunity to be able to do something together with my husband and children. We loved it.

How did you tell your family about the opportunity to go on the show? Were they excited?

I said, “We’re doing a Wife Swap!” [Laughs] No, I talked it through with Eddie because we have to be on the same page with anything that involves our kids. They were intrigued by the concept of the show. The kids have been around the cameras for six seasons of Potomac so this is like their normal. They had a good time.

We’ve seen your life on Real Housewives Of Potomac, but we have never gotten to see your family’s schedule. Were you at all nervous about sharing that with the world?

Yes, but only because I didn’t realize how deranged my schedule is until I watched the episode [laughs]. I was like, “Wait, I leave like five minutes in between everything,” and it’s so weird. It was definitely a vulnerable moment for me, and I’m glad I got to share it. I still wake up at 5:35 a.m. every day without fail.

You got to swap places with Alethea Shapiro of The Shapiros in Naples, Florida. What was your first thought when you were headed to the Sunshine State?

I’ve been to Florida several times, but I’ve never been to Naples. When you google “Naples,” the search results are about golf and the Everglades. And I was like, “oh my goodness, I’m going to be with the swamp people!” Like, I really thought that’s where I was going to go! I breathed a sigh of relief when I pulled up to the Shapiro house because there were no alligators. I was really happy.

Alethea embraces what she calls “low-demand parenting” which she deems as “empowering her kids to be independent.” What’s your take on that parenting style?

Parenting is very difficult, so I don’t try to shame anyone for their parenting style. Every style, whether mine or hers or someone else’s, has its pluses and minuses. Her “low-demand” parenting makes her children independent, but it also makes them grow up really, really quickly. I think that there is beauty in childhood. As adults, we know that those childhood days are fleeting. Some of us wish we could go back there. It’s important to give children the ability to be children. There’s no need to rush it.

We see your kids a bit on Potomac, but I was blown away by how grown up Karter, Kruz, and Kamrynn are! Were you surprised by any of the things they had to say?

I was surprised! During the Wife Swap episode, I saw a flashback to Karter and Kruz when they were probably like 4 and 6. To see them at 10 and 12? I’m just like, “wow, time really flies.” The one thing I’ve always said that I love about being on Potomac is that the show is like a built-in scrapbook. The producers do a really good job of documenting every aspect of our lives, including our families.

Alethea’s children were also sweet, but you had a very special bond with Alethea’s eldest daughter, Hailey. Why do you think you two got so close so fast?

I think Hailey is just such a remarkable young lady. She’s s so kind, and she just has an amazing heart. We had great conversations. We talked about her aspirations and what she wanted to give to her younger siblings someday. I thought that was beautiful. I am a younger sibling, and I know the role that my older sister played in my life. Now through the lens of a mother myself, I am awed by how nurturing Hailey is and how she is almost like a third parent at times. That is such a selfless thing to do because she’s still a child herself. It was just great to build that bond with her. We are friends on social media, and we still talk today. I love that.

I was pleasantly surprised to see your mom Susan on the show, but she didn’t hesitate to coach Alethea in the kitchen. How do you think Alethea handled herself?

Alethea did such an amazing job. She could easily take offense , but she did not. She is a trooper given that my mom was very firm with her instructions. Alethea has such a warm spirit. You know, she just smiled and went along with it.

Eddie is so loyal to you, and I could feel his anxiety when Alethea was enforcing her rules in your house. Were you happy to see how eager he was for you to come home?

I was so happy! Sometimes you don’t realize what you have—or you don’t appreciate what you have—until you have something different. It was nice to see that he missed me.

You kept it super real with Alethea and said things to her that maybe no one close to her has been able to say, but she needs to hear. Did you sense this too?

Is that why you were so frank? I come from the Real Housewives world. Housewives 101 is that you tell people what you think. I wanted to share what I observed. I also listened to what she had to say about what she saw in my home. I wasn’t trying to make her feel a certain way. My feedback was constructive, and that’s how she took it. Have you kept in touch with the Shapiros? Yes, I love the Shapiros. I think they’re so great. Despite our differences, we both parent with love. And wherever love is present, sign me up. I really admire and appreciate that.

What’s the biggest lesson you and your family learned from this experience?

We really took away how much we love and appreciate each other. I also think it’s important to try and have fun in everything we do. You can’t take life too seriously. Enjoy the moments while they’re here.