We often overlook the toll that the unpredictable life of a professional athlete can take on the athletes themselves and especially their families. In a moment's notice, the athlete's life and the lives of those who depend on them can change dramatically, whether it's via a trade or a team's decision to let that player walk away.
As a result of that harsh reality, families can be uprooted multiple times in just a few months and parents can be away from their families for weeks at a time. It can be harsh at times, but it's what they signed up for and what their families have to be prepared to deal with.