Jenna Bush Hager Opens Up on Parenting Challenges: Prioritizing Emotional Wellbeing and Individualized Support for Her Children

By Emily Carter, Staff Writer November 30, 2025 – New York, NY

In the whirlwind of morning television, book clubs, and family life, Jenna Bush Hager has carved out a reputation as one of the most relatable voices in American media. As co-host of Today with Jenna & Friends and author of heartfelt children’s books, the 43-year-old former first daughter doesn’t shy away from the messier sides of motherhood. Recently, Hager has been particularly candid about a “challenging period” in her parenting journey, one marked by the emotional turbulence of raising three young children amid the pressures of a public life. Drawing from her own experiences—and inspired by the grace-filled parenting she witnessed from her parents, former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush—Hager is emphasizing stability, compassion, and open communication at home. Her message? Every parent faces these moments, and prioritizing mental and emotional health isn’t just essential—it’s revolutionary.

Hager, who shares daughters Mila (12), Poppy (10), and son Hal (6) with her husband, Henry Chase Hager, has always woven personal anecdotes into her professional life. But in recent interviews and on-air segments throughout 2025, she’s delved deeper into the vulnerabilities of watching her children grow. “Parenting was hard last night,” she admitted in a raw moment on her show earlier this year, recounting a tough evening that left her husband echoing the sentiment: “Wow, parenting is really hard.” It’s these unfiltered glimpses that resonate with audiences, reminding them that even someone raised in the White House grapples with the everyday chaos of carpools, screen-time battles, and the ache of fleeting childhood moments.

A Tween Transition: Navigating Emotional Shifts with Empathy

Much of Hager’s current challenges stem from Mila’s entry into the tween years—a phase she describes as both “sweet” and transformative. As her eldest daughter heads into seventh grade, Hager has noticed the subtle (and not-so-subtle) changes: budding independence, occasional mood swings, and the looming shadow of social media. “There’s, you know, some changes and she’s the sweetest, kindest, [most] empathetic girl,” Hager shared on her podcast Open Book with Jenna, her voice thick with pride and a touch of worry. But beneath the affection lies a parent’s quiet fear: how to guide a child through a world that’s “quite different now,” as she put it during a July episode of Today.

One particularly poignant milestone came in late July, when Hager attended a Gracie Abrams concert in New York City with Mila. What started as an exciting “out on the town” evening turned into an emotional flood for the mom of three. Seated amid the buzzing crowd, Hager watched her daughter’s eyes light up, and suddenly, the reality hit: “This could be the last time my seventh-grader is cool with sitting next to her mom at a concert. In a few years, she’s going to be going with all of her buddies.” Tears welled up as she reflected on the beauty of seeing the world “through their eyes.” Guest co-host Tyra Banks, sensing the vulnerability, offered comfort: “Those are the moments. Experiences are so important, because you’re going to relive that over and over and over.”

This isn’t an isolated incident. In September, Hager missed her children’s first day of school—a “major milestone”—due to work commitments in New York. While guest host Willie Geist filled in on Today, she shared a photo of Mila, Poppy, and Hal holding handmade signs marking their grades: seventh, fourth, and kindergarten. “I made them hold those signs,” she explained with a mix of laughter and longing. “But they had such a good day!” Acknowledging the guilt many working parents feel, Hager added, “You know, I think sometimes… we can’t be at everything.” Yet, she turned the moment into a lesson in resilience, emphasizing that presence isn’t just physical—it’s about the emotional threads that connect families, no matter the distance.

Hager’s approach to these challenges is deliberate and individualized. She devotes herself to “making sure that each child has the love that I know I feel for them,” even as logistics grow trickier with three kids at different stages. For Mila, that means honest conversations about growing up, including strict boundaries on technology. “I have a 12-year-old, she does not have a phone and she won’t for a bit. And she definitely won’t have social media,” Hager declared firmly on her podcast. It’s a stance inherited from her own upbringing, where her parents fostered a “pretty normal childhood” despite the spotlight, offering “the grace to fail” without judgment.

Sibling Bonds and the Book That Started It All

Hager doesn’t navigate these waters alone; her twin sister, Barbara Pierce Bush, is a constant sounding board. The sisters, who have co-authored five children’s books, recently released I Loved You First in March 2025—a tender tale about sibling rivalry and reconciliation that doubles as a parenting manifesto. In a People interview promoting the book, the duo gushed about their joys and challenges, with Barbara tearing up as she reflected on motherhood’s “poignant reminders.” Hager praised her sister’s presence: “All kids want is to feel like they’re seen, and she makes both of her babies feel like that.”

The book, illustrated with whimsical drawings of squabbling sisters who ultimately embrace their bond, mirrors Hager’s home life. With Mila and Poppy just two years apart, sibling dynamics are a daily dance of cooperation and conflict. Hager encourages open dialogue, drawing from her podcast discussions where she and Barbara unpack everything from tantrums to triumphs. “It’s very beautiful, sissy,” Hager told her twin, wiping away tears of her own. Their collaboration isn’t just professional; it’s a lifeline, reminding Hager that vulnerability strengthens family ties.

Lessons from the White House: Stability, Compassion, and Grace

At the heart of Hager’s philosophy is a commitment to creating a home environment rooted in stability and compassion—values she credits to her parents. In an exclusive People cover story from August 2023 (updated in her 2025 reflections), she recalled how George W. and Laura Bush supported her through teenage missteps without shame. “I had parents that really supported us and never made us feel bad about mistakes that we made,” she said. Now, as she faces perimenopause’s “emotional rollercoasters” and “occasional insomnia,” Hager applies that same grace to herself, modeling self-compassion for her kids.

This fall, a simple homework assignment from Mila brought it all full circle—and to tears. In her Voices at the Table newsletter on October 6, Hager shared a photo of her daughter’s responses to an “I want” prompt: heartfelt wishes for kindness, family time, and personal growth. “I try to find the love and the pleasure that I know I have for my kids even in the tedious parts of parenting,” she wrote. It’s a reminder that emotional wellbeing isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence.

Hager’s candor extends beyond her family. In July, she got emotional dropping Mila and Poppy off at summer camp in Texas, just weeks after fatal floods devastated nearby Camp Mystic. The tragedy amplified her fears, but she channeled it into gratitude, posting a black-and-white family photo captioned “My wolf pack.” And as the holidays approach, she’s sharing de-stress tips learned from Laura Bush: prioritize family rituals like heart-shaped waffles (a recent breakfast surprise from her kids) and set screen limits to foster real connections.

A Message for Every Parent: You’re Not Alone

What makes Hager’s story so powerful is its universality. “Many parents experience similar moments,” she often says, whether discussing the “absolute panic” of birthday parties at extravagant malls or the wild energy of her “good kids” who are “all wild, too, but they’re good.” In a January Parade interview, she got real about the grind: no more kids on the horizon, but endless hope that her values—treating people with kindness—rub off. “I hope that the way Henry and I treat people is rubbed off, you know? And she witnesses that.”

As 2025 draws to a close, Hager shows no signs of slowing down. Her Today segments blend humor with heart, her book club inspires millions, and her family remains her anchor. By maintaining privacy while sharing just enough, she encourages others: Lean into the hard parts. Prioritize mental health. And above all, give your children—and yourself—the individualized support they deserve.

In a world of curated feeds and endless to-dos, Jenna Bush Hager’s voice cuts through like a warm hug. She’s not just talking about parenting; she’s living it, one emotional milestone at a time. 🌼💬