Jenna Bush Hager’s Surprising Insight into Her Daughter’s Text Messages

Jenna Bush Hager, beloved host of Today with Jenna & Friends, recently shared a delightful anecdote about her unique connection to her 10-year-old daughter Poppy’s digital world. During a lively conversation with guest co-host and close friend Savannah Guthrie, the former first daughter revealed an unexpected parenting quirk: she receives all of Poppy’s text messages and FaceTime calls. The 43-year-old mother of three—Mila, 12, Poppy, 10, and Henry, 6—shared this tidbit with her characteristic warmth and humor, shedding light on the close bond she maintains with her children alongside her husband, Henry Hager.

The revelation came about when Bush Hager explained that Poppy, who doesn’t yet have her own phone, uses an iPad to communicate with friends. “I get her text messages because she just gives everybody my cell phone [number],” Bush Hager told Guthrie, laughing. “She doesn’t text that much… But she’ll use her iPad to write, ‘Hey!’ and somebody writes back, ‘Hey!’ And I’m like, ‘What is happening where I’m getting Gigi’s FaceTimes?’” This charming mix-up highlights the blurred lines between parent and child in the digital age, with Bush Hager inadvertently becoming a recipient of her daughter’s social exchanges.

As a frequent storyteller on Today with Jenna & Friends, Bush Hager often weaves tales of her family life into the show, offering viewers a relatable glimpse into her role as a mother. Her candidness about parenting resonates with audiences, particularly when she reflects on the fleeting moments of her children’s childhood. Recently, she shared an emotional experience about taking her eldest daughter, Mila, to a Gracie Abrams concert. The event stirred deep feelings as Bush Hager watched Mila’s joy unfold. “I started crying,” she admitted, describing the scene. “I was like, ‘This is so beautiful.’ To see this concert through their eyes.”

The concert moment took on added poignancy as Bush Hager realized it might be one of the last times Mila, now entering seventh grade, would eagerly attend such an event with her mom. “This could be the last time my seventh grader is cool with sitting next to her mom at a concert,” she said, her voice tinged with emotion. “In a few years, she’s going to be going with all of her buddies and not mommy.” Her husband, returning with sodas for the family, found her teary-eyed and gently teased, “Are you crying again?” For Bush Hager, these moments underscore the rapid passage of time as her children grow.

Beyond these heartfelt anecdotes, Bush Hager’s openness extends to celebrating family milestones. On Mother’s Day, she shared a glimpse of her children’s thoughtfulness through an Instagram Story, showcasing a breakfast in bed complete with heart-shaped waffles adorned with chocolate sauce and a sweet message: “We  Mom.” Another black-and-white photo captured her with Mila, Poppy, and Henry—her “wolf pack,” as she affectionately called them—posing together outdoors, radiating love and togetherness.

Bush Hager’s stories, from receiving Poppy’s texts to cherishing fleeting moments with Mila, paint a vivid picture of a mother navigating the joys and challenges of raising children in the spotlight. Her ability to find humor in the chaos of parenting—like fielding unexpected FaceTime calls—combined with her reflections on the bittersweet nature of time, resonates deeply with her audience. As she balances her high-profile role on Today with her life as a devoted mom, Bush Hager continues to captivate viewers with her authenticity, proving that even in the whirlwind of daily life, the smallest moments—like a text from Poppy—can hold the most meaning.