Kristen Bowlin films her youngest son, Brooks Bowlin, 8, during his flag football game. Kristen is passionate about football and other sports, which play a central role in her family's life.
The chaos is fueled not only by Kristen's daily family life, but also by her job and her love of sports, particularly football.
Kristen is at WCMS by 7:15 a.m., sending off her two youngest sons to their primary and intermediate schools on a bus. Her work in the classroom requires mounds of paperwork, which can be difficult for her to find time to do. "Yesterday, I got to it when I was in bed," she says.
Sports are a constant in Kristen's and her family's life. She organizes suppers for players in her school, watches every game with her family, and sometimes loses her voice yelling to support her kids' football and baseball teams.
“I’m really loud and I act a fool during games sometimes,” she says. Active involvement of her sons and other children in sports not only creates chaos but is also a source of joy for Kristen. “I’m in my happy place when I see them on the field.”
Active encouragement and support for her team sometimes leads to her pushing her kids. “I’m tough on them, but that’s because I know they’re capable. I don’t want them to just be satisfied," she says.
"Kristen likes being competitive," Tommy says with a smile on his face.
Football is much more than a fun game for Kristen. It's an integral part of her community and also a tool to keep young kids safe. “There is not a whole lot to do in a small town, and if you don’t have a lot to do, you’re gonna do the wrong things,” she says. “Sometimes kids need the sports more than the sports need the kids.”
As her sons mature, Kristen expects them to live close to home. "I couldn't imagine my boys moving away." However, she understands the reality of parenting. "As empty nesters, I can see me and Tommy traveling abroad."
For now, the juggling among school, practice and games continues.
"I’m living my best life right now,” Kristen says. “I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have all this."
Kristen’s eldest son, Blake Bowlin, 13, plays in a football game against Corbin Middle School. Blake, number 33, is a defensive linebacker for Whitley County Middle School.
Kristen, a special education teacher at WCMS, cheers for the team along with other football moms. “Gosh, I just want them to win, bless them!” says Kristen. The team was defeated 6-0.
Blake and Kristen hug after the school day. “He has a heart of gold. He’s a nurturer,” says Kristen about him.
As a special education teacher, Kristen’s job requires mounds of paperwork. She often finds herself doing this work from odd places like her car and bed.
“Brooks is my momma’s boy, through and through,” Kristen says of her youngest son. “He’s tender-hearted.”
Kristen and fellow football moms pray and bless the food at a supper for the football team and parents the night before a game.
Kristen jokes with her colleagues during a break at school.
Brooks, tired after the school day, curls up in his mother’s arms. With three children, Kristen often finds herself on-the-go after work. “We’re always somewhere that’s not our house,” she says.