Chelsea Freeman Opens Up About Parenting and Life with Dodgers Star Freddie Freeman

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Chelsea Freeman, wife of Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, shares candid insights about her experience as a mother raising three young boys while navigating the pressures of parenting in the public eye.

In a recent interview, Freeman, who partnered with OFF! bug spray to promote their new line aimed at kids and adults, discussed the daily challenges and joys of parenting, reflecting on her own upbringing in Florida and later experiences in Georgia. She emphasized the significance of outdoor play, especially as the summer months approach.

“My mom actually had misdiagnosed Lyme‘s disease and it was from a tick bite,” Freeman recalled. “It was completely debilitating, and I didn’t know what it was for a long time. That’s why prevention is key; as a parent, you want to do anything to protect your kids.” Freeman believes that using bug spray is an essential part of parenting during warm weather.

During their conversation, Freeman emphasized a survey conducted by OFF! that revealed 56% of parents found their children preferred an extra hour of screen time over outdoor play. “Play is hard,” she noted. “It’s a lot of work to use your imagination and entertain yourself outdoors, and it can be hard for parents, too.”

Freeman acknowledged that today’s parenting landscape is markedly different from her own childhood. “I remember riding my bike to my friend’s house without helmets,” she said. “Now, I don’t know how we survived. Getting kids outside is something we have to actively work on.”

Turning to her sons, Freeman shared how her oldest, Charlie, 8, has benefited from participating in Little League. “It’s no longer a battle getting them outside,” she said. “Getting them involved in sports has been a game changer for our family.” She indicated that sports provide essential social interaction for her boys, who are homeschooled.

While discussing parental pressure, Freeman admitted, “A little bit of pressure exists. Kids’ games now have spectators chanting their names, which is wild.” Despite the excitement, she is grateful that Charlie enjoys the spotlight and thrives in baseball.

Freeman pointed out the increased pressure surrounding youth sports compared to earlier generations. “Freddie always says, ‘The kids just need to have fun at this point,’” she said. “There seems to be so much more pressure on kids and families than there was when he was younger.”

As Freeman navigates the complexities of parenting in a high-stakes environment, she strives to ensure her boys feel safe expressing their emotions. “I try to simplify things and focus on basic fundamentals,” she said. “Freddie lost his mom at a young age, which influences how we raise our kids. We want to be good examples for them.”

Reflecting on the bustling life of a baseball family, Freeman acknowledged the challenges. “It goes from level one to ten with kids,” she said, expressing the unique difficulties posed by the baseball season’s hectic schedule.

Despite the chaos, Freeman enjoys the experience. “I homeschool the kids to travel with Freddie and take everything in,” she said. This perspective highlights the Freeman family’s commitment to maintaining normalcy in their lives while embracing the unique nature of their circumstances.