NBC’s Saturday TODAY co-anchor Laura Jarrett marked Mother’s Day with a heartfelt tribute to her mother, Valerie Jarrett — a powerhouse political figure, former senior advisor to President Barack Obama, and, as Laura’s message made clear, an essential pillar in her life as a parent.
On May 12, Laura shared a carousel of intimate family photos on Instagram, showing Valerie with her two young children, June and James. Alongside the images, Laura wrote a candid, relatable message about the realities of motherhood. “Everyone tells you ‘it goes by fast,’ but let’s face it — when you are in ‘it,’ children are exhausting,” she wrote. She added that she felt grateful to have both her mother and grandmother as examples of resilience and perspective, saying they taught her how to “embrace the chaos.”
Valerie Jarrett, never one to let a moment of warmth pass quietly, replied publicly in the comments. She wished her “precious little Pumpkin” a Happy Mother’s Day and reflected on how quickly time has moved. “You were June and James’ age a hot second ago,” she wrote. She expressed gratitude that both she and her own mother have lived to see their legacy reflected in Laura and praised her daughter’s ability to “master the mighty juggle” of working motherhood. Valerie acknowledged that, at this stage of life, balance can feel impossible — but emphasized that over time, all the phases would “add up to an extraordinary book.”
Later, Valerie posted a photo of Laura holding her son, which she shared to her Instagram story with the caption: “Pure joy watching my baby be an amazing mom.”
This isn’t the first time Laura has publicly expressed appreciation for her mother’s role in her life and career. In March, she posted a photo of Valerie with her daughter June, writing, “I could not do this job without @valeriebjarrett in my corner.”
Laura and her husband, Tony Balkissoon, welcomed their first child, son James, in 2019. Their daughter, June, arrived in July 2022. Speaking to TODAY.com, Laura reflected on the years she and Tony spent together before becoming parents. “Tony and I waited a while before we had children, which I think was super valuable because we just got to have fun,” she shared. “Kids are wonderful, but they can be extremely taxing on marriages. We had a ball just the two of us for a long time and I think that really set us up for success.”
For Laura, Mother’s Day wasn’t about perfection — but about honesty, gratitude, and the generational strength of the women in her family. Her message resonated with many working parents who understand the duality of exhaustion and joy that defines raising young children. With Valerie’s guidance still shaping her journey, Laura’s tribute revealed a family deeply rooted in support — and committed to celebrating the beauty and chaos that motherhood brings.
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