All Parents Need to Hear Hoda Kotb’s Maternity Leave Advice for Jenna Bush Hager

Hoda Kotb shared some wise words of wisdom with her TODAY with Hoda & Jenna co-anchor, Jenna Bush Hager. Kotb, who’s currently on the tailend of her maternity leave, stressed to Bush Hager, who recently gave birth to her third child, the importance of soaking up every minute with the newest addition to her family. “Don’t spend it looking around worrying about what’s ahead,” Kotb stresses.

When Kotb’s prior battle with breast cancer left her unable to have children, the journalist and TV personality wasn’t ready to give up her dream of becoming a mom. Back in 2017 she adopted her oldest daughter with longtime boyfriend Joel Schiffman. And in April, the pair adopted their second child, Hope Catheine. Kotb has since been on maternity leave enjoying this special time with her baby. This week, she announced via phone interview on TODAY that she’d be returning to her anchor seat on September 3. She also shared a video on Instagram to tell fans the big news.

"Hi guys. Guess what? It’s time to get my roots done. I’m coming back to work. I’m gonna be there on September the 3rd. Right after Labor Day. You guys, I’m so excited,” she says. “Look, I’m not gonna lie, this probably has been the best summer of my entire life with these two kids. I’ve loved every second of it. But you know what else I’m gonna love? Coming back to you guys. So I am gettin’ ready. I’m setting my alarm, 3:15 a.m., okay? We’ll be back in business. I love you guys. I cannot wait to see you.”

Kotb hopes Bush Hager has just as incredible of an experience as she’s been having on her maternity leave. Kotb called in to TODAY with Hoda & Jenna on Tuesday to tell guest co-hosts Sheinelle Jones and Willie Geist that she passed along some advice to her co-anchor who welcomed her third child, Henry Harold, on Aug. 5. When the two got together last week with their kids, Kotb shared a few important takeaways from her time off.

“All this time off that you take, all this time that you are enjoying with your children, will be reflected the minute you come back on the show,” she told her. “Just enjoy it. And know that this is like a moment in time and you get to live it, so don’t spend it looking around worrying about what’s ahead.”