Chelsea Freeman on parenting with a baseball star and a tough diagnosis

As the wife of Major League Baseball star Freddie Freeman and a busy mom of three boys, Chelsea Freeman knows a thing or two about balancing family life with finding time for herself.

The 33-year-old spoke with Newsweek about her daily routine, how she keeps her kids—Charlie, Brandon and Maximus—active, and why outdoor protection is a nonnegotiable part of their lives.

“My kids usually wake me up early,” Freeman said. “I cook breakfast, and we enjoy some downtime before they start school.”

Once the kids are away, she jumps into her own routine, beginning with a workout class. “After, I get ready and usually tackle emails and film content for my sponsorships,” said Freeman, who is partnering with OFF!, a brand of insect repellents.

With her boys having school only in the mornings, afternoons are reserved for outdoor fun.

“That’s why we choose OFF! Adults & Kids and apply it before going outside,” she said. “Not many people know that my mom was diagnosed with Lyme disease from a tick bite when I was young. That’s why prevention and protection is so important to our family.”

With three energetic boys, Freeman’s household is always on the move. “We’re always getting outside and playing to burn off some energy,” she said. “My kids are especially into backyard baseball, and my oldest is gearing up for Little League.”

Last year, Freeman’s son Max, who was 3 at the time, was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare disorder in which the immune system targets and damages the peripheral nerves.

“When your child is in the hospital, it’s so important to be an advocate for them. The best advice I got was to … focus on making it thought the day, [and] when you make it through the day, then just focus on making it through the night,” she said.

Raising three boys comes with a side of chaos. Between wrestling, occasional fighting and playing, she said they were all best friends.

Even with a packed schedule, Freeman prioritizes self-care.

“I book my workouts in advance like I would book work meetings or doctor appointments,” she said. Five days a week, she dedicates an hour to her physical and mental health through Pilates and barre classes.

“I notice I have way more energy when I start the day with a workout. It’s my one hour that I reserve for myself,” she said.

Freeman’s passion for outdoor safety made her partnership with OFF! a natural fit. She was shocked to learn that 56 percent of parents said their kids would prefer an extra hour of screen time over outdoor play.

“I was excited [for this partnership] because I’m all about encouraging my kids to get outside,” she added.

With baseball season in full swing, that means more mosquitoes and ticks.

Freeman said, “I’m passionate about prevention, especially when it comes to my kids.”