When Goodbyes Get Hard: Jenna Bush Hager's Summer Camp Drop-Off
For Jenna Bush Hager, saying goodbye to her two eldest daughters at summer camp wasn't just another routine. It was a deeply emotional moment that tugged at her heartstrings. The beloved Today show host recently opened up about the bittersweet experience of watching her daughters, Mila and Poppy, head off to camp, revealing how she had to fight back tears while saying her goodbyes.
“I had little tears streaming down under my big sunglasses,” Jenna, 42, confessed to cohost Hoda Kotb during an episode of their talk show on Monday, July 8. As the screen flashed a photo of Jenna with her daughters, it was clear that this was a moment of both pride and sadness for the mom of three.
Recalling the Moment: Spiders, Heat, and Big Sister Advice
Jenna shared some of the hilarious and heartfelt exchanges she had with her daughters during the drop-off. Poppy, the younger of the two, was particularly worried about the conditions at camp. “She was like, ‘But what about the spiders in the bathroom?’” Jenna recalled with a laugh. “And I told her, ‘You’re going to become friends with the spiders in the bathroom.’ She also asked about the heat, and I reassured her that she’d get used to it—it’s hot there, but she’ll adapt.”
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It wasn't just about the concerns; there was plenty of advice from big sister Mila too. Jenna recounted how Mila, who had been to the same camp before, took it upon herself to guide her younger sibling. “Mila was like, ‘Okay, Poppy, here’s what you do. Don’t drink Sprite on the first day because it’ll make you feel nauseous in the heat. And wake up early to use the restroom because if you don’t have your own space, you might struggle,’” Jenna said, highlighting the protective and guiding nature of her older daughter.
A Nostalgic Journey: Following in Jenna's Footsteps
This particular summer camp holds a special place in Jenna's heart. It’s the same camp she attended as a child, making the experience all the more nostalgic for her. “Seeing my girls go off to the same place I went to as a kid brought back so many memories,” Jenna reflected. “It’s like watching a part of my own childhood come alive through them.”
When asked by Hoda, 59, about how she felt after saying goodbye to her daughters, Jenna’s response was both touching and relatable. “Two of my three hearts are far away from me,” she said, expressing the deep emotional connection she has with her children. “The first year I dropped Mila off, I had a hard time adjusting. I felt like something was off. But now, I’m just so excited for them to have this amazing experience.”
Contrasting Reactions: Then and Now
On the flip side, Jenna revealed that when she and her twin sister, Barbara Bush, were dropped off at summer camp as kids, their parents had a completely different reaction. “Were your mom and dad crying?” Hoda asked Jenna, referring to former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush.
“No, they high-fived each other because both of us were gone,” Jenna confessed, drawing laughter from the audience. She went on to share a funny anecdote about her own experience at camp. “I even wrote them letters like, ‘Dear mom and dad, here are my friends,’ and I listed all the people in my cabin. Then the next letter said, ‘Dear mom and dad, that last letter was a lie. I have zero friends.’”
Jenna joked that she prayed for her parents to come pick her up during her first year at camp, but they never did. “It was rough because I was an odd child,” she admitted, adding a lighthearted touch to her story.
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Looking Forward: A Right of Passage
Reflecting on last year’s experience, Jenna, who also shares son Hal with husband Henry Hager, talked about welcoming Mila back home after her time at camp. “My weekend was great. I went down to Texas, and we got our girl back!” she told Hoda, showing a video of Mila leaping into her arms. The video also captured a sweet moment where Mila shared a hug with Poppy, highlighting the bond between the sisters.
“She loves it. She’s probably one of the only kids from the Northeast,” Jenna said of Mila’s enthusiasm for camp. “It’s a lot of Texans, and it’s really hot with no air conditioning, but she loves it. It’s so fun to see her embrace that independence. Sleepaway camp is truly a rite of passage.”
