Mother’s Day Issue
Jenna Bush Hager, Co-Host of Today with Hoda & JennaNext up in our special Mother's Day Issue: Jenna Bush Hager, the famous First Daughter turned NBC morning co-host with Hoda Kotb. She shares her early (early!) daybreak schedule and shares her must-read books with the kids. (For more great picks, join her book club #ReadWithJenna here.)
Jenna Bush Hager with her daughter, Poppy
Q&A
What's your morning mom routine?
Mornings start pretty early around here! I work in morning television so our mornings are controlled chaos, minus the control! We listen to music as we feed the kids breakfast—our go-to now is oatmeal with blueberries. My husband Henry gives our baby Hal his bottle while I have my morning production meeting with the Hoda and Jenna team!
Mornings start pretty early around here! I work in morning television so our mornings are controlled chaos, minus the control! We listen to music as we feed the kids breakfast—our go-to now is oatmeal with blueberries. My husband Henry gives our baby Hal his bottle while I have my morning production meeting with the Hoda and Jenna team!
Favorite books to read with your children?
Mila and I are currently reading The Babysitters Club graphic novels by Gale Galligan, based off of the beloved books by Ann M. Martin. I am having so much fun falling back in love with them. Also, if you haven’t read Charlotte’s Web with your children—now is the time to read E.B White’s gorgeous book. The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last forever. Even on the most beautiful days in the whole year—the days when summer is changing into autumn—the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change.
Mila and I are currently reading The Babysitters Club graphic novels by Gale Galligan, based off of the beloved books by Ann M. Martin. I am having so much fun falling back in love with them. Also, if you haven’t read Charlotte’s Web with your children—now is the time to read E.B White’s gorgeous book. The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last forever. Even on the most beautiful days in the whole year—the days when summer is changing into autumn—the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change.
What are your hacks to keeping work, family and personal ambition in balance and in check?
I don’t believe in balance, particularly now! I try to keep our house and life organized. And I think letting go of guilt and any ideas of perfection are so important!
I don’t believe in balance, particularly now! I try to keep our house and life organized. And I think letting go of guilt and any ideas of perfection are so important!
Best advice you received from your mom?
My mom always told Barbara and I not to worry about the little things—now, as a mom it is great advice. Also, my parents let us fail (PUBLICLY!), which is the bravest thing parents can do.
My mom always told Barbara and I not to worry about the little things—now, as a mom it is great advice. Also, my parents let us fail (PUBLICLY!), which is the bravest thing parents can do.
Greatest lesson learned from being a mom?
The greatest lesson I have learned from being a mom is PATIENCE (especially now!) but also how truly magical it is to see the world through the eyes of our kids!
The greatest lesson I have learned from being a mom is PATIENCE (especially now!) but also how truly magical it is to see the world through the eyes of our kids!
