Jenna Bush Hager is no stranger to success, but she also understands the value of failure.
As a best-selling author, television personality, and public figure, Jenna has learned that setbacks can be a powerful learning tool.
However, as a mother of three, she worries that today’s children are being deprived of this important life lesson.
During a conversation with Monica Lewinsky on a recent episode of Today,
Jenna candidly expressed her concerns about the growing pressures placed on young children and the ways in which failure is being avoided rather than embraced.
The Fear of Failure in Today’s Generation
Jenna, who shares three children—Mila, 11, Poppy, 9, and Hal, 5—with her husband Henry Hager, spoke about her unease regarding the way society approaches failure in the modern era.
“It’s actually my biggest concern as a mom,” Jenna revealed. “I don’t think our kids are allowed to fail. And I failed publicly, but it actually became my superpower.”
She elaborated on the idea that experiencing and overcoming failure builds resilience and strength. “I feel brave because you can come out of something,” she explained. “We need to teach kids that they can come out of things.”
Growing Up in the Public Eye
Jenna is well-acquainted with navigating life in the public spotlight. As the daughter of former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, as well as the granddaughter of President George H.W. Bush, she spent much of her life under intense public scrutiny. Mistakes, when they happened, were often magnified.
One of the most publicized missteps of her youth occurred when she was cited for possession of alcohol and using a fake ID at the age of 19. While her father largely protected her from the harshest consequences, she looks back on the experience as a pivotal moment in her personal growth.
“I think it’s the best gift we can give our children—the chance to fail,” Jenna said in a previous Today segment. “When I was growing up, my parents let me fail. They let me fall—and publicly. And I always say to them now, ‘How brave of you,’ because it didn’t always reflect well on them either.”
Breaking Away from the ‘Nepo Baby’ Label
On Today, Jenna also reflected on the pressure she felt to carve out her own path and distance herself from the privileges associated with her famous family.
She acknowledged that growing up in a political dynasty meant there were expectations placed upon her, but she worked hard to establish herself as an individual with her own voice and career. “I wanted to prove myself and show that I wasn’t just a product of my last name,” she admitted.
Despite her privileged upbringing, Jenna emphasized that she has worked hard to earn her place in the media industry. Over the years, she has built a successful career as a co-host on Today with Hoda & Jenna, a best-selling author, and an advocate for education and literacy.
Encouraging Resilience in Her Own Children
Now, as a mother, Jenna hopes to instill resilience in her children by allowing them the space to make mistakes and learn from them.
“Kids need to know they can fail and come back from it,” she emphasized. “It’s not about shielding them from every hardship—it’s about teaching them how to move forward.”
As the landscape of parenting continues to evolve, Jenna Bush Hager remains committed to ensuring that her children, and others of their generation, understand that failure is not something to be feared but rather an opportunity for growth and strength.
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