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Jenna Bush Hager: I put my phone down when I'm with my daughter


UPDATED FEBRUARY 6, 2019 11:03 AM EST

Jenna Bush Hageris known for her famous father, former President George W. Bush, and her contributorrole on the TODAY show. But the busy mom of one has taken special steps tomake sure her daughter is the first lady in her life.

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Jenna was all smiles at the Downton Abbey Season Five Cast Photo Call in December Photo: Getty Images

Likemost working moms, the 33-year-old admits to being attached to technology but makes a point to put it away to spend time with her daughter Mila. “I went backto work after 3 and a half months and, in the beginning, I would try and respond to emailswhile hanging with Mila, but I felt so distracted," she said in an interview with Cricket's Circle. “Now I leave my phone in another room and give Mila all my attention when I’m with her.”

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The busy mom shared a sweet family pic on her Twitter in the New York snow Photo: Twitter

Theformer first daughter joined the TODAY show in 2009, reporting on special issueslike education, something she still loves to do. "I love my job and I travel almost weekly for it,” shesaid. But Jenna admits she had to rebalance a bit with the birth of herdaughter in 2013. “I can see how women let taking care of themselves go. Work has to bethere, and kids have to be cared for, but the gym is a choice,” she's said. “Ihave to force myself to choose it over more time with Mila. I didn’t get thatbefore kids.”

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Along with personalities like Hoda, Jenna has become a permanent fixture on NBC Photo: Twitter

Now qualitytime away from technology has become a ritual in the Hager household. Jenna andher husband Henry swap bath time duties each night so each parent gets qualitytime with the 22-month-old.

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Jenna and her famous father at her May 2008 wedding

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Jenna said she shares parenting duties with her husband Henry Photo: Getty Images

“I’ve started to leavemy phone and computer at the front of the apartment,” Jenna told TODAY. “I come back[to the nursery] with Mila after I’ve given her a bath and she’s all clean andsmells like a delicious baby and we read." It's these quiet moments thatthe TV correspondent cherishes most. “That nighttime routine is really thehappiest hour of my day.”