Hoda’s heartwarming return home after the Olympics is every working mum’s tornado of joy, guilt and love

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.

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.