Parenting—The Other Olympian Sport

Mother of two girls, Reece (2 years old) and Riley (6 years old)

What's your biggest parenting challenge?

Having two young daughters who don't have a true set schedule. Because of all the travel we do for the US [soccer] team, there's not a lot of consistency in their schedules. Reece comes with me on every trip, domestically and internationally, and Rylie comes when we can pull her out of school. We kind of just go with the flow and make sure Reece gets at least one nap a day no matter what time it is, even if it means going to bed late or getting up late.

It's very hard on an athlete to get up when you are tired and Reece is awake or want to go to sleep when Reece is awake and wants to play, but I know having her get her 12 hours a day of sleep is the key to success! It doesn't matter when she gets that 12 hours as long as she gets it. Always being able to adapt and adjust to the environment that particular day is very important. In this soccer world, things are out of our control as far as the schedule.

If there were an Olympics of parenting, in which field would you get the gold?

Patience. Because when you are traveling, it's all about the child and the mood of the child. When I am up and ready to go to team breakfast, and dealing with a crying child, you have to be patient. Or if we get into a city at 2 AM and you trying to get your kid up to get off the bus. On airplanes, buses, trains, and in hotels, you need patience. Patience is the key because you are constantly in a different city, a different hotel room, and are constantly moving. You definitely master the art of functioning on just a little sleep.

Finish this sentence: You know you're in the Baby Zone when…

… I am by myself, carrying 33-pound child, rolling two bags, and pushing a stroller while trying to make my connecting flight at a busy airport.