If you could sit down for one-on-one girlfriend time with TODAY's Natalie Morales, mother of two boys, would you want the scoop about interviewing celebrities, globetrotting or the secrets of keeping cool under the pressure of morning television?
Didn't think so.
As moms, the real burning question is: How does she do it? Sure, there are folks to help with hair and makeup at the crack of dawn, but who tucks the kids into bed and kisses them goodnight when work takes her away? There's the thrill of hearing the TODAY show song at airtime, but success doesn't come without challenges.
Natalie Morales shared with TODAY Moms how she manages to be apart from her family for work, which she says is the hardest part of her job. She makes sure she's in touch with them throughout the day and is trying to Skype more. "I just talk to them and tell them I love them every minute that I can when I am traveling," Morales says.
It helps that she's seen one of her role models, Meredith Vieira, balance family and work, making her realize that you can have a little of everything in your life.
But the role model she's had since youth has always been her mother. "She's shown me that you can always dream big dreams, and you have to work hard -- a great work ethic will be the key to your success."
Moms always knows best.
Do you have questions for Natalie? Put them in the comments, and we'll ask her the next time we get a chance.
Julie Weingarden Dubin is a Michigan-based freelance journalist and author with three rocking kids, a loving husband and a trashed minivan. She covers health, psychology, parenting, relationships and pop culture.