Jenna Bush Hager Embraces Her Kids Calling Her Jenna: A Heartwarming Compliment
Jenna Bush Hager, cohost of the 'Today' show, opens up about her children calling her by her first name, revealing her perspective on it being seen as a compliment Learn more about her unique parenting experience
Jenna Bush Hager Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Jenna Bush Hager pleasantly surprised the audience by sharing that her children do not always address her as "mom." During an episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna on Thursday, November 9, the 41-year-old Bush Hager jokingly mentioned to her sister, Barbara Pierce Bush, that the name "Barbara" was experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
"In the parks of Brooklyn, where tradition meets modernity, a remarkable trend caught my attention - the prevalence of names like Maeve and Dolores. As I mingled with the crowd, the echo of 'Come on Dolores' filled the air, but 'Come on Barbara' remained unheard," Barbara revealed.
Jenna interjected, suggesting that perhaps only a husband or child would address Barbara as such. In response, Barbara revealed that her own daughter, Cora, aged two, always refers to her as mom, never by her first name. (Barbara shares Cora with her husband, Craig Coyne.)
Jenna surprised her twin sister by disclosing that her kids refer to her as "Jenna." She has three children, a 4-year-old son named Hal, and two daughters named Mila, 10, and Poppy, 8, with her husband Henry Hager.
Barbara chuckled and joked that Jenna should talk about this with her children.
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Jenna revealed that she needs to have a conversation about it with her children. She also mentioned that her son, Hal, contacted her via FaceTime and enthusiastically greeted her, saying, "Hello, Jenna! Hello Jenna!"
Jenna responded, considering it a compliment due to it being her own name. This is not the first instance where Jenna has openly discussed her children or shared their unique customs. Back in September, during an episode of the NBC show, she divulged that her mother, Laura Bush, received dirt to place beneath Jenna's bed when she gave birth to her children, ensuring they were born on Texan soil. Judging by Jenna's expression, receiving southern dirt was not a gift she had anticipated. (Jenna was born in Dallas and primarily grew up in Austin before relocating to Washington D.C. when her father, George W. Bush, became president.)
Jenna shared that despite not growing up in the south, her kids still have southern accents. She humorously mentioned that she becomes a different person when she enjoys a margarita and listens to Willie Nelson. She jokingly suggested playing recordings of "y'all, y'all, y'all" for her children while they sleep, although she made it clear that she would never actually put anything in their ears to avoid causing any harm.
Jenna has also shared her aspirations of growing her family.
"It feels like the right time for me to have another child," she stated during an August episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna. "I really hope to have another one... We are not ruling it out."
Jenna explained that Henry, who she married in 2008, is not on board.
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"Insisting firmly, Henry reassured us that we have been blessed with three healthy babies," she disclosed, noting her age and past medical challenges as reasons for his reservations.
During an episode of her talk show in April 2019, Jenna disclosed her struggle with an ectopic pregnancy prior to the birth of her first child. The emergency surgery and subsequent feelings of isolation made it a particularly challenging experience for her. "In life, there are moments of both joy and pain," she reflected back then.
