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.
47% of mums still aren’t given enough time to pump at work
When the PUMP Act was signed into law in December 2022, it was considered a landmark piece of legislation supporting the rights of breastfeeding parents everywhere. Up until that point, there were loopholes in previous legislation that meant working parents weren’t always guaranteed the right to a private place to pump or dedicated “reasonable break time” to do so—or be able to sue if their employers were not compliant with the law. But even though it’s been almost two years since the PUMP Act was passed, it seems there’s still more work to do in the effort to support nursing parents.
The annual State of Breastfeeding Survey from Mamava and Medela found that among nearly 7,000 parents surveyed, there’s still a critical need for increased access to breastfeeding support and infrastructure in workplaces and public spaces—and education around their rights when it comes to breastfeeding at work.
More education needed around the PUMP Act
The survey found that 1 in 3 parents lack reliable access to a dedicated lactation space at work, and that 43% of parents remain unaware or unclear about the PUMP Act and its legal requirements for workplace lactation support.
Fifty-two percent of parents identified finding places to pump or nurse on the go as their top breastfeeding challenge, closely followed by 47% citing insufficient time for nursing/pumping breaks.
“Our survey results expose the reality that our society must do more to provide breastfeeding parents with the essential support and infrastructure they need,” said Sascha Mayer, Mamava Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer, in a statement. “Despite federal protections established by the PUMP Act, even the most committed breastfeeding parents face significant barriers. It’s clear we need to create more supportive workplaces and public spaces to ensure that every breastfeeding parent has the opportunity to feed their children in a private, dignified and comfortable environment.”
That looks like both educating parents on their rights—and helping employers understand their legal responsibilities and possible solutions, Mayer tells Motherly. While some employers have taken the initiative to update their breastfeeding laws and policies, others are still resistant, which has led to a spate of lawsuits from employees this year, The 19th reports.