How Pickleball Became This Working Mom’s Family Bonding Time

Daniella winning a triple crown at the Tucson Arizona Open.

Daniella Eisman is no stranger to pressure. As a seasoned TV and film director living in Los Angeles, she spends her days navigating tight production schedules, creative calls, and the high-stakes world of entertainment. But when the workday ends, or sometimes even during a break in filming, you might find her on the courtside, paddle in hand.

Pickleball started as a networking experiment. A potential work contact preferred playing pickleball over tennis, and with a court at home, Daniella figured, why not? That casual intro opened the door to something she didn’t expect to love.

“It’s like my version of a country club,” she says. “It’s social, it’s fun, and it’s where I can be my most authentic self.”

But the story doesn’t stop there. For Daniella, pickleball has become a way to parent, recharge, and connect with her twin boys.

One Game, Two Paths: Raising a Recreational and a Competitive Player

Bennett and Leo at a tournament with Leo bringing home the gold.

Daniella’s sons, Leo and Bennett, both play, but their styles couldn’t be more different.

Leo is in it for fun. He’s strong, athletic, and loves the social side.

“He just wants to get out there and have a good time,” Daniella says. “Unless he’s playing against his brother—that’s when the competitive edge shows up.”

Bennett, meanwhile, is on a mission. At just 13 years old, he’s competing in mixed pro opens and holding his own against top seeds. His calm, focused approach has caught more than a few eyes.

“It’s wild to watch,” she says. “He’s learning about strategy, communication, and how to stay composed under pressure—all lessons I know will help him in life, not just on the court.”

Pickleball as a Parenting Tool

For Daniella, the court is part playground, part classroom. 

“There’s no hiding on the court. You see how people handle pressure, how they treat others, and how they bounce back after mistakes,” she says. “And honestly, that’s exactly the kind of real-world feedback I want my kids to get.”

Now that Bennett is stepping into the spotlight, Daniella’s stepped into the assist role.

“At this point, I tell him, ‘You be the star, and I’ll be your assist.’ I just follow his lead,” she laughs. “It’s like a chess game out there, and he’s teaching me now.”

Community, Connection, & Pickleball Moms

The Pickleball Moms with some of the kids.
Kids: Kaitlyn & Brooklyn (left)
Moms: Gisselle, Rachel, Daniella, Stacey & Candy

Daniella also found something unexpected: a community of “pickleball moms.”

“We travel together, we share hotel rooms and Airbnbs, and sometimes we even take each other’s kids to tournaments to save on costs. It’s really a village.”

Compared to the tennis world she once knew – full of pressure and little sportsmanship – pickleball has been a relief.

“Bennett was cheering on his opponent during a tennis match, saying ‘Great shot!’ and the other parents were confused. That just doesn’t happen in tennis. But in pickleball? It’s expected.”

From Hollywood to Honolulu: Bringing Pickleball Everywhere

As a director, Daniella’s often on the road, and the paddle always comes with her. Whether she’s filming in Hawaii, Montana, or New Mexico, she finds local courts and jumps into open play.

She jokes that it’s replaced the bar scene.

“Instead of grabbing a drink after a long day on set, I’ll hit the courts. I get the same social connection, plus exercise, and I meet incredible people everywhere I go.”

From A-listers to total beginners, everyone’s welcome. “You can be rallying with a Super Bowl champ one minute and a total beginner the next. That’s the magic of it.”

The Bond That Keeps Growing

Daniella with her boys.

Perhaps the most beautiful part of Daniella’s pickleball journey is the bond it’s built with her boys, especially now that they’re teenagers.

“It’s something we can do together. We watch matches on TV, talk about pros, and even play in parent-kid tournaments. We actually won gold recently!”

And what’s ahead?

 “These kids—this first generation of competitive junior players—they’re making history. They’re traveling together, forming bonds, and learning skills that will take them far beyond the court.”

Pickleball might’ve started as a work connection. But for Daniella, it turned into something bigger: a family tradition, a parenting win, and a front-row seat to her kid’s growth, on and off the court.