Hoda Kotb’s reunion with her daughters after covering the Paris Olympic Games is the stuff working mom dreams are made of—especially the kind where you’re not sure if you’ll laugh, cry, or both. When Hoda shared that sweet Instagram video of her girls, Haley and Hope, sprinting towards her, I was right there with her, reliving every single one of my own returns home after a work trip.
There’s something about that moment when you open the door, still in work mode, probably wearing the same clothes you had on when you left three days ago, and then—bam!—your kids are there, full speed ahead, like you’re the greatest thing they’ve seen since chocolate ice cream.
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And let’s be honest, it’s a bit of a rollercoaster. First, there’s the joy, the relief that they’re just as happy to see you as you are to see them. But almost immediately, that other thing kicks in—guilt. Because how do you explain to a 5-year-old that you missed the school play or bedtime stories because you were in a different time zone, trying not to fall asleep during yet another meeting?
It’s tough to shake the guilt, but here’s what I’ve learned: It’s proof that you care deeply. It’s a sign that you’re invested in your kids’ lives and that you want to be the best mom you can be.
No such thing as balance in working motherhood
Watching Hoda’s girls run to her made me think of all the times I’ve felt torn between my work and my kids. There’s this constant push and pull between wanting to crush it at work—because let’s face it, being good at your job feels amazing—and wanting to be there for every single moment of your kids’ lives. Spoiler alert: it’s impossible to do both perfectly. And that’s OK.
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During her time in Paris, Hoda had some epic moments, like getting to interview Simone Biles and Gabby Thomas and connecting with an Olympian who happened to share the same name as her daughter. Sure, those experiences are once-in-a-lifetime cool, but let’s not kid ourselves—the best part of any work trip is coming home.
Hoda’s thoughtful touches, like setting up clocks labeled “USA” and “Paris” so her girls could keep track of when she’d be back, are those little things that matter so much. It’s the kind of mom move that says, “I might not be there in person, but I’m still thinking about you.”
Managing the mom guilt
But here’s the thing we need to remind ourselves: it’s OK to be away sometimes. There will be days when you feel like you’re not doing enough, or that you’re stretched too thin. But you’re not failing your kids by being a working mom. If anything, you’re showing them what it looks like to chase your dreams and work hard for what you believe in. And when you do come home, you get to be the hero of the day—the one who’s been out in the world doing big things but who’s always going to be there to give the best hugs.
Hoda’s reunion with her daughters is a reminder that our kids don’t love us any less because we work. They don’t hold it against us that we miss a few bedtimes or aren’t always there to cut the crusts off their sandwiches. They love us because we are their moms—the ones who show up, who care, and who, despite being a little tired and disheveled, make them feel like the most important people in the world.
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The truth is, coming home after a work trip is a mix of all the feelings. You’re proud of what you’ve accomplished, but you’re also just so ready to be with your kids. You might feel a little guilty, but that’s only because you care so much. And in those first few minutes back, when your kids are clinging to you like you’re a rock star, that’s when you know it’s all worth it. Take a moment to soak it all in. The chaos, the noise, the joy—it’s all part of the beautiful mess that is motherhood. And it’s yours.
