Ten years into their marriage, Kelly and Matthew Stafford give off the image of a strong, steady couple. With four kids, years of NFL seasons behind them, and a move from Detroit to Los Angeles, they seem like the perfect team. But that’s only what’s visible to the world. When you’ve been together for 16 years, you learn that some things are meant to stay between just the two of you—shaped by time and experience.

That was the case for Kelly and Matthew. But after bringing four wonderful daughters into the world, Kelly realized she couldn’t be the only one struggling silently. She wasn’t. In March, she opened up about her journey through infertility and IVF—the first real difficulty the couple had to face. “Nothing really shifted in our lives when we first tied the knot,” she recalled.

They had to learn to speak openly, lean on each other, and stay strong when things felt anything but easy. These are the lessons Kelly reflected on during National Infertility Awareness Week in 2025, where she shared parts of their early struggle with honesty and heart.

Though their infertility story is behind them now, Kelly still feels deeply tied to that world. “Even though it’s been a while since we went through infertility, it’s a community you never leave,” she wrote alongside a photo of herself and Matthew attending a Chosen Fertility event in California.

Then, on April 26, Kelly took part in the “1 in 6” campaign by reposting it on her Instagram story. For those unfamiliar, it’s a movement dedicated to raising awareness of the millions affected by infertility every year.

But Kelly isn’t just showing her face—she’s speaking up and making a difference. With almost 500,000 followers, she knows her voice matters. The most rewarding part? The messages she receives. People feel understood. Some share their own fertility battles, while others thank her for “saying what no one else dares to say.” That’s who Kelly is—always ready to support moms in need of love and encouragement.

Kelly’s style of parenting isn’t based on books—it comes from real life. While the Staffords may enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, she’s focused on teaching her daughters how to stay humble and compassionate.

“It’s important for our kids to understand how fortunate they are,” she shared on The Morning After. But making them grasp that? That’s the challenge. “Sometimes, you just have to let them see it.” That’s why, during the holidays, the whole family gets involved in sponsoring other families—choosing gifts, wrapping them, delivering them in person.

“There’s no need for speeches,” Kelly said. “Just meaningful moments.” She believes those experiences speak louder than any lecture. And whenever there’s a way to give back that includes the girls, they all go together—no matter the occasion.

“Anytime there’s a chance to help others and the kids can come along, we make it happen,” she said. Kelly understands they won’t get the full picture right away, but she’s confident these are the kind of early experiences that truly leave a mark.

Even though she works hard to raise kind kids, Kelly is also honest about her mistakes. Like the time she swore in front of them—four times—while out with friends. Her fix? A dollar in a swear jar for each slip. Kids model what they observe. And if they see a small penalty for a mistake, they learn from that, too.

So even on off days, Kelly makes sure her kids witness her accountability. She’s not aiming for perfection—just for presence. In the end, it’s the simple, consistent things that matter most. And for the Stafford family, showing up and being real is what counts.