Jenna Bush Hager’s Kids Benching Her at Games

Jenna Bush Hager is finding herself sidelined by her own children.

While co-hosting “Today with Jenna and Sheinelle,” she shared that after an incident during a volleyball game, her 13-year-old daughter, Mila, effectively banned her from cheering. Hager explained that she was “put in a free zone” instead of being able to join in fully.

Hager, 44, acknowledged that her enthusiasm might have been a bit over the top. Reflecting on a recent game, she said, “The score was 6-7, so I thought, ‘Six-seven!’” and recalled Mila’s disapproving look. “I froze up after that. I went to one volleyball game this year,” she added.

Hager is aiming for a quieter presence next season, saying, “I think the freeze will thaw next year. I’m not trying to be the center of attention.”

However, it’s not just Mila causing a stir. Hager mentioned her youngest son, 6-year-old Hal, also has his own requests during games. “Now on the flag football field, Hal is all like, ‘Don’t cheer. It’s too loud, Mom,’” she noted.

In raising Mila, 10-year-old Poppy, and Hal with her husband, Henry Hager, Hager believes her passion for sports is rooted in her upbringing. “My father worked in baseball, so I went to about 70 games a year,” she reminisced. “I was cheering. I loved cheering. I learned how to score; I knew how to do everything, so I’m kind of an athletic kid.”

Her father, former President George W. Bush, played a pivotal role in shaping her love for the game, having been part of the Texas Rangers ownership group prior to his presidency.

This week, Hager also addressed comments about her resemblance to her father during a segment that included interviews with multiple former presidents. Co-host Sheinelle Jones pointed out the similarities, which Hager was quick to downplay, stating, “I appreciate it, but sometimes that’s not a compliment.” As she added, with a hint of humor, “I think my dad is handsome, but when people say that, I think, ‘Do I look like a man?’”