Olivia Munn, co-hosting TODAY with Jenna & Friends, shared her parenting struggles while alone with her children, 3-year-old Malcolm and 5-month-old Méi, during a family trip to New York City. Munn described a breakdown moment when her son became upset and jealous, leading her to cry in distress. Despite the challenges, she expressed gratitude for their busy lives. Jenna Bush Hager related similar experiences with her own children, discussing advice on embracing teenage independence. Both moms reflected on the bittersweet nature of their kids growing up and the importance of allowing them to enjoy their own experiences.
Olivia Munn experiences parenting “breakdowns,” just like anyone else.
Munn, who is the mother of 3-year-old son Malcolm and 5-month-old daughter Méi with husband John Mulaney, candidly discussed a poignant moment while co-hosting an episode of TODAY with Jenna & Friends on March 31.
During a family excursion to New York City, where Mulaney was performing on Broadway, Munn found herself handling parenting duties solo.
“My 3-year-old reached his breaking point,” Munn shared with Jenna Hager Bush. “He was screaming and crying and saying things that hurt my feelings… then he didn’t want me to be with my daughter because of jealousy, and I just broke down in tears — a cry I’ve never experienced before… I felt so overwhelmed.”
Munn, who publicly shared her breast cancer diagnosis in March 2024 and has been transparent about her treatment, revealed a sudden “realization” to Jenna: Gratitude means everything.
“I said, ‘You know what? God willing, we continue to work as much as we are right now forever. And God willing, we’re moving and shifting and so lucky,’” Munn expressed. “Every breakdown or fit just makes me laugh.”
The 44-year-old admitted that sometimes she has to turn away from her children to chuckle, “so I don’t encourage it,” but “everything just makes me genuinely happy.”
Jenna chimed in, sharing her own struggles with her “wild” kids, Mila, 11, Poppy, 9, and Hal, 5, with husband Henry Hager.
“I have a sixth grader! She’s in middle school,” Jenna beamed about Mila. “I love it.”
Jenna recounted some advice she received from another mom.
“Molly Shannon once told Hoda (Kotb) and me, ‘You know, teenage girls get a bad rap, but if you can exist with them and meet them where they are, and understand they need their own independence — which can create some conflict — it’s truly beautiful.’”
Munn, who likened the transition from one to two children to landing on Mars, acknowledged that others have been preparing her for the reality of her children’s growing independence.
Jenna recently experienced this shift with her oldest child.
“I had this really profound realization maybe two years ago,” Jenna remembered. “Our family had always celebrated Halloween together, but then Mila, my daughter, said, ‘I want to go trick-or-treating with friends.’ At first, I was like, ‘Wait — what? How could you?’ But then I understood: I’m not going to be in all my kids’ memories… we should empower them so they feel confident to become their own individuals.”
Jenna concluded, “But, you know what? I’m still kind of her bestie.”