Twins Rewind Parenting

Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush, twin daughters of former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, are raising their children with a nostalgic twist, drawing inspiration from the free-spirited parenting they experienced in the ‘80s and ‘90s. In an era before smartphones tethered parents to constant updates, the sisters roamed their neighborhood, chasing adventure with the gentle oversight of their ever-present yet unobtrusive mom and dad. Today, as they navigate parenthood in a tech-saturated world, they’re determined to recreate that magic—albeit with modern tweaks.

Barbara, now 43 and a mother to 3-year-old Cora Georgia and 7-month-old Edward with husband Craig Coyne, reflects on their unconventional upbringing. “I would say it was sort of, like, the laissez-faire parenting of the ‘80s and ‘90s,” she told Us Weekly in an exclusive chat, painting a picture of a childhood unbound by screens and schedules. She and Jenna, also 43 and mom to Mila, 11, Poppy, 9, and Hal, 5, with husband Henry Hager, are on a mission to echo that balance—keeping their kids grounded amid the digital buzz.

For Jenna, that means resisting the cellphone tide with her sixth-grader, Mila. Unlike many of her peers, Mila won’t find a device in her pocket just yet. Instead, Jenna arms her with confidence and a memorized phone number, encouraging her to connect the old-fashioned way — face-to-face. It’s a nod to their parents’ knack for “creating joy,” from George pedaling alongside a wobbly bike to Laura masterminding scavenger-hunt birthdays that turned their world into a playground.

The sisters’ approach isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s a two-way street. Parents, they believe, can rediscover wonder through their kids’ eyes, a sentiment that pulses through their new children’s book, I Loved You First. A heartfelt “love letter” to their own little ones and a tribute to George and Laura, the book doubles as a nightly reminder to cherish the quirks and curiosity of childhood. For Barbara and Jenna, it’s less about shielding their kids from today’s complexities and more about spotlighting the magic that still exists — if you know where to look.