In a heartfelt moment on the July 30, 2025, episode of Today with Jenna & Friends, Jenna Bush Hager, the beloved co-host, was overcome with emotion as she shared a poignant realization about her oldest daughter, Mila. The 43-year-old mother of three opened up about a recent experience that left her in tears, reflecting on how her 12-year-old daughter is growing up faster than she anticipated. As Mila approaches her teenage years, Jenna fears that the days of shared mother-daughter moments, like attending concerts together, may soon come to an end as her daughter navigates the rebellious phase of adolescence.
Jenna’s emotional revelation came during a candid conversation on her show, where she recounted taking Mila to see singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams perform. The concert, meant to be a fun outing for the mother and daughter, turned into a deeply moving experience for Jenna. As she watched Mila’s face light up with excitement, Jenna was struck by the fleeting nature of time and the realization that these shared moments might not last much longer. “It was so much fun, and I don’t know… I’m going through something, obviously,” Jenna admitted, her voice trembling. “My oldest is going into middle school, and for whatever reason, we sat down, and I just started crying.”
The tears came not only from seeing Mila’s joy but also from a bittersweet awareness that her daughter is on the cusp of adolescence—a time when children often begin to pull away from their parents to assert their independence. Jenna described the moment vividly: “I was like, ‘This is so beautiful. Look at how excited they are for her.’ To see this concert through their eyes was just so special.” But as her husband, Henry Hager, stepped away to grab sodas for the family, Jenna’s thoughts turned to the future. “I was just thinking, this could be the last time my seventh grader is cool with sitting next to her mom at a concert,” she shared. “In a few years, she’s going to be going with all of her buddies and not mommy.”https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMvcn0NN9EV/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=14&wp=540&rd=https%3A%2F%2F360headlines.com&rp=%2Fbtvgiang%2Fjenna-bush-hager-breaks-down-in-tears-on-today-with-jenna-friends-after-learning-she-doesnt-have-much-time-left-with-her-oldest-daughter%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawNiqQ9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF2cTZnc1E#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A3196.699999988079%2C%22ls%22%3A1113.8999999761581%2C%22le%22%3A3191.5%7D
Jenna’s vulnerability resonated with many parents who understand the ache of watching their children grow up. The realization that Mila, who still holds her mother’s hand at concerts, might soon prefer the company of friends over her parents hit Jenna hard. “Time is going so fast,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. When Henry returned and noticed her tears, he gently teased, “Are you crying again?” Jenna explained that she was overwhelmed by the thought of Mila’s impending teenage years, when she might distance herself from her mother. Henry, ever the supportive partner, reminded her not to cry in front of Mila, joking that it might embarrass their daughter. “He’s like, ‘Don’t cry. She’s humiliated. You know, you want to keep her next to you,’” Jenna recalled with a laugh.
Jenna and Henry Hager share three children: daughters Mila, 12, and Poppy, 9, and son Hal, 5. As the oldest, Mila has always held a special place in Jenna’s heart, and the milestones of her growing up have been both joyful and emotional for the proud mom. Earlier this year, in April 2025, Jenna celebrated Mila’s 12th birthday with a heartfelt Instagram post, sharing photos of her daughter enjoying simple pleasures like cuddling with her cat, savoring burrata, and bonding with her younger sister, Poppy. “Twelve years of our darling girl—Mila, we LOVE all of who you are: all heart, spirit, and humor,” Jenna wrote. “You burrata, cat-loving, Grey’s Anatomy queen! We love you so!”
The birthday tribute highlighted Mila’s vibrant personality, but it also underscored how quickly she is transitioning from childhood to adolescence. For Jenna, this transition is both a source of pride and a reminder of how little time she may have left to share in her daughter’s world before Mila embraces the independence of her teenage years. The concert experience with Gracie Abrams brought these feelings to the forefront, as Jenna grappled with the idea that Mila’s willingness to include her mom in her activities might soon wane.
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