Jenna Bush Hager expressed her discontent with the term “mom friends” during a recent discussion on the *Today* show. Speaking with co-host and former NBA player Dwyane Wade on July 11, 2023, Hager shared that she finds the label limiting, as it suggests that these friends are not true companions.
“Some of my best ‘mom friends’ — which I sort of hate that term because it implies they’re not my true friends — but some of my best mom friends are from the time I had my 12-year-old,” said Hager, who is the mother of three children: Mila, 12, Poppy, 9, and Hal, 5. She noted that these friendships were formed during a baby group, which provided a vital community experience that has continued as their children grew.
Hager emphasized the importance of shared experiences in parenting, stating, “We were all in this baby group together. One of my best friends in the world, we met through the baby group, and now we have pre-teens. To go through every stage of life together? I think it is necessary to have that community.”
Wade, who shares a daughter, Kaavia, with actress Gabrielle Union, supported Hager’s sentiments. He highlighted the significance of building relationships with the parents of their children’s friends. “Once they get their friends … you have to have a relationship with their parents. One, for them to allow their kids to come over or vice versa, but also two, if their parents are going to come over,” he explained.
The conversation underscored the broader implications of parenting friendships. Wade humorously remarked, “We’ve got to be into them,” referring to the parents of his children’s friends, while adding, “Or, I’m just not going to ever be around for playdates.”
Research supports the notion that friendships, particularly those formed through shared experiences like parenting, can have positive effects on mental health. Studies indicate that strong social connections can protect against loneliness and depression while potentially lowering blood pressure and increasing overall lifespan. Additionally, shared experiences have been shown to enhance the enjoyment of activities, as people tend to rate shared experiences more highly than solitary ones.
As both Hager and Wade navigate their roles as parents, their reflections on the complexities of friendship in parenting resonate with many. The dialogue sheds light on the evolving nature of relationships as families grow and circumstances change.
Elise Solé, a seasoned writer and editor who focuses on parenting and pop culture for the *Today* audience, also addresses these themes in her work. Living in Los Angeles, Solé draws from her own experiences while sharing insights on balancing parenting with personal interests.
In a world where the meaning of friendship continues to adapt, Jenna Bush Hager’s candid remarks remind us of the importance of authentic connections, especially within the context of parenting.
