I cover the NFL for ESPN. I also have a preschooler and a six-year-old at home. And those two things don’t always coexist gracefully. This past fall, I had a really rough moment dropping Reese off at school. I realized I didn’t even know where to go to pick her up because I had never been there in the afternoons, not once. The mom guilt is real. I wrestle with it all the time. But I’ve learned that being present for my kids doesn’t always require being in the same room (or in the pickup line).
Through a lot of trial and error, I’ve found four things that help me stay close to Reese and Jack when I’m at work or on the road for ESPN. These little rituals help all of us feel less far apart. And they’ve become my personal playbook for how to stay connected with my family while traveling. (They can work for you too.)
1. I take their toys on adventures with me.
Reese and Jack’s stuffed animals have become a part of my unofficial travel entourage. I’ll tuck one or two into my bag when I fly out for a game and take photos along the way. I’ll text Josh a snapshot of Wildstar waving from the 50-yard line or high-fiving the team mascot to show the kids.
For them, it flips the script. Mom’s not just gone for work; Wildstar is out there having the best time. And just like that, my two worlds don’t feel so far apart. My kids get a kick out of it, and honestly, so do I.
2. I record short voice messages just for them.
On early mornings before the kids wake up, I’ll record a quick voice message or video—just a simple “Good morning, beautiful!” or “Hey buddy, I’m thinking about you today.” Josh plays it for them when they come downstairs.
Little kids don’t understand time zones or broadcast schedules. They just know Mama’s voice. Hearing it in the morning, even when I’m not there to make their eggs, is a tiny bridge between us. I’ve found these messages do something for me too. They give me a moment to be fully theirs before I have to switch from Mommy to Laura Rutledge, ESPN Commentator.
3. I FaceTime from behind the scenes.
Before a broadcast, I’ll sometimes FaceTime Reese and Jack and give them a little tour of the cameras, the set, and the crew, getting everything ready. Or I’ll call them from a breakfast spot in Oxford or Tuscaloosa, wherever I am that weekend, and show them the little place where I’m eating my favorite sandwich. My kids love an overstuffed extra-cheesy breakfast biscuit as much as I do.
When my kids can picture where I am, I’m not really gone from home. Instead, I’m at the place with the cowboy hats, eating those fresh beignets like last year, or sitting on The Quad where Daddy went to school. They get to be part of my trip in a small way.
4. I leave behind surprise notes or treasures.
Before I head out, I’ll put a note in Reese’s lunchbox or leave a little drawing near her pink cape so she’ll find it that day. Nothing elaborate, just a heart and “I love you!” in my handwriting. Other times it’s a small treat hidden in Jack’s backpack. My wildman loves all things sports and construction.
These little notes or treasures say what I can’t always say in person, whether I’m at the ESPN desk or on the other side of the country. It’s a simple thing, but what I want them to feel when they find it is this: Even when I’m not here, I’m thinking about you.
Mom guilt is a joy killer, and I don’t think it ever fully goes away. What I’ve learned, though, is that you can still show up for your kids even when you can’t be there in person. A stuffed animal riding along on a work trip, a “good morning” message recorded before sunrise, a FaceTime from the sideline, a note tucked in a lunchbox—these are my favorite ways to stay connected with family while traveling. And for Reese and Jack, it’s how they feel loved, and that’s all that matters.
What are your best tips for staying connected with your family while traveling to make your kids feel loved?
