King George couple to appear on 'Wife Swap'

STAFFORD — Each week, ABC Television Network hosts “Wife Swap,” inviting two contradictory families from across the country to participate in a two-week long challenge. The wives exchange husbands, children and lives to discover daily life in another woman’s shoes. This week, King George’s Padovan-Hickmans are one of the two families.

DeLaura Padovan and Steve Hickman have a log cabin where they are raising their daughters Tara, 11, and Maren, 8, to be self-sufficient and environmentally conscious. They believe they have cut out all the “stuff” that comes with chasing the American Dream, viewing it as more of an American Nightmare.

New Jersey’s Burroughs family believes that life is about “spending money and dressing to impress.” Shannon Nicole Burroughs and her husband Shannon Michael Burroughs admit that they use bribery as a useful parenting technique with their twin 6-year-olds, Nicholas and Alexa. Shannon Nicole Burroughs said she loves big diamonds, big furs and bling — and loves living the American Dream.

The Padovan-Hickmans choose to live without modern conveniences like electricity or a refrigerator; they raise chickens, make their own cheese and eat fruit off the vine. They conserve water by using leftover bath water to flush the toilet.

“We don’t ask anyone else to live the way we do. Nevertheless, we all came out of this process knowing that this is the right way for us to live,” commented Padovan.

When the wives switch places on the show, they spend the first week living life as the family they are visiting. The second week is when the wives “change the rules and turn the tables.”

“Shannon Michael Burroughs and I had some values in common, deep down. I think the husband was very open,” said Padovan. “I like those children. Children are kind of my specialty. They [the producers] will probably show some temper tantrums — there are plenty to choose from — but some of my favorite memories are spending time with the children.”

Padovan said that she didn’t really get to meet Shannon Nicole Burroughs, but is aware that it was a not an easy time for her family.

“I know that my family had a very difficult time getting along with her. I know that they don’t have happy memories working with her.”

Padovan said the experience was a challenge.

“I feel like I’ve been on a roller coaster,” she said, “and my approach to roller coasters is to hold on and scream the whole way.”

Check out the “Wife Swap” episode airing Friday on ABC Channel 7 at 8 p.m.