Read the stories real-life moms are 
sharing about their experience

What’s something you once thought was “just part of being a mom” that you now realize is actually unbelievable?

I used to think the process of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum was “just part of being a mom.” As the youngest child, I never saw my mom go through this, but growing up I did see my aunts and other women experiencing everything from pregnancy to postpartum all while working. I never realized what they were going through until I went through it myself. It’s unbelievable to me what women go through physically and mentally, and they still show up each and every day for those they love, many of them working as well. It is hard! I used to just think you got pregnant and had a baby and it was all amazing! It is, but damn it’s hard! No one teaches you what to do, you’re constantly learning on the fly. That’s just what moms do. They are badasses.

What part of working motherhood do people underestimate the most?

How hard it is. You want to be a good mom and you want to be good at your job, but sometimes that feels impossible. You feel the guilt seeing other moms staying home with their children. You feel like you’re a bad mom for leaving. On the flip side, you worked your ass off to get to where you are in your career, you don’t want to give up. Does that make you a bad mom for wanting to still pursue your dreams? These questions don’t seem to go away, and some days are easier than others. There’s no right choice. I think we as women harp too much on either being a stay-at-home mom or a working mom. Both are great and both are hard! You have to do what’s right for you and no one else. Every decision you make once you become a mom is so much more complex than before.

What’s something people don’t see about being both a sports reporter and a mom?

The job doesn’t stop when I leave the stadium, and being a mom doesn’t stop when I step on the field. I’m constantly checking my email to make sure I’m not missing a trade or an injury, even after my “shift” has ended. That’s challenging because I want to feel fully present at home, but it’s hard to do that. The other day I was two minutes from going on air and there was an issue at home with childcare, and I was trying to make sure my baby was okay, calling different people and trying to get the situation handled. Then I hang up and I’m talking about NFL Free Agency. People don’t see that. They see me on TV and criticize and dissect everything I say, regardless of what was happening two seconds before the light came on. This career is so hyper-competitive, and to be honest, there are people who will use the fact that I had a kid and could be less present to their advantage. I don’t want to give up just because I’m a mom, but I also don’t want to waste these precious years with my baby. It’s a balance, and I’m still figuring it out.

How has motherhood changed the way you show up in your career?

My brain is never 100% in one place anymore. Before having my daughter, when I was at work, I was at work. It was my life. During that time, nothing else mattered. Now when I’m at work, I’m thinking of Ava, hoping, praying she’s okay and I’m not missing out on anything. When I’m at home, I catch myself thinking of work, hoping I’m not missing anything. Your priorities and mindset shift once you have a baby, and I’ve learned to realize that’s okay! I actually think I’ve become a better reporter since being a mom because I’m less worried about being perfect, if that makes sense. My job no longer defines me, it’s a part of me for sure and I love that part of me, but it isn’t all me. If or when I mess up, it’s not the end of the world anymore. I understand I am human and I don’t need to be perfect all the time. I think people assume once you go to work postpartum it will be the same as before you had a baby. Things change and that’s okay!

What did breastfeeding look like for you behind the scenes during the NFL season?

I’m not going to lie, this was the hardest part of my postpartum journey. I had about 4 to 5 months off of work once I had my daughter. I loved that time. I breastfed her pretty much exclusively. She got a bottle here and there if I was at a dinner or gone for an extended period of time. I didn’t realize how much of a privilege it was being able to breastfeed her until I went back to work. I struggled with the idea of returning to work, missing out on spending time with her, especially knowing I would have to travel and spend nights away from her. I had a goal of breastfeeding for a year and wanted to accomplish that.

When I went back to work, it was during training camp. I was flying to different cities, learning how to pump on the go, traveling with breast milk. It was chaos. People don’t understand how challenging this is. I would be at a training camp practice in 100-degree heat, trying to get a few ounces. I knew I wasn’t hydrating enough and it was so hot it was hard to produce. I was also stressed, not wanting to go into a bathroom stall by myself for 30 minutes to pump. I didn’t want to miss being able to watch practice.

There was one time I was about 5 months postpartum and had just gone back to work. I was at the Seahawks training camp. We were supposed to interview their head coach after practice, but practice ran long. I was getting into the time of really needing to pump. I could feel myself engorged and was panicking. I decided to put on my pumps and hope I could pump for 10 minutes and get relief. Well, of course, as soon as I put my pumps on, practice ended. There I was on the sideline attempting to take my pumps off quickly so that I was ready for the interview. This was one of the first times, so I hadn’t gotten good at this yet. There was milk spilling everywhere, my shirt was wet, and my hands were sticky. Not only the physical issues, but then I’m having to get my mind right and try to remember what it was I’m supposed to be talking to him about. It was tough!

Throughout the season, I got a lot better at managing this all. I learned what cooler to bring, how to store the milk, and when to pump, but that didn’t come without coolers leaking in the overhead bin, countless tears at TSA, and begging restaurants for ice. I wanted to quit so many times. I’d be lying if I said guilt didn’t play a large part in me continuing. I wanted to show up for my baby, even when I was traveling, so I committed to doing this. Honestly, looking back on the season, I don’t know how I did it, but I did. I hope that inspires someone else to believe you can dictate when you stop breastfeeding. You don’t have to let your job do it for you.

What would you tell a breastfeeding mom who is returning to work after maternity leave?

It’s going to be hard, but you’re a mom! You can do hard things. I also would say you don’t have to keep breastfeeding if you don’t want to! A fed baby is a happy baby. However your baby gets fed is badass. Your mental health is most important. If there’s a part of you that wants to keep going, you can do it. It’s going to be frustrating. People don’t understand what you’re going through, men especially.

I had a man come up to me in the press box as I was getting ice for my cooler and say, “What are you doing? Trying to keep beer cold in there?” I had another man laugh and say, “Why are you saving that milk? Can’t you just prepare it for her before you leave?” I got so many comments, especially working in a male-dominated industry. You just have to let them go.

I got the travel situation down to a science, from cooler to storage to pumps. I’m happy to share and help anyone who needs it! Don’t be afraid to reach out to other moms. We are all here to help!