‘Today’s Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager Joke That They “Messed Up A Little Bit” With Their First Kids: “Don’t Let Them Know!”

Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager often discuss parenting and their families on Today, but the ladies made a rather shocking joke during the broadcast that had their guest, Tony-winning actress Audra McDonald, cracking up.

During Friday’s show, Kotb asked McDonald about what her experience has been like parenting her two daughters, who are 23 and seven years old.

“We always think with our first one we messed up a little bit – don’t let them know! – we’re getting better,” Kotb began, causing Bush Hager and McDonald to laugh.

Bush Hager interjected to say they shouldn’t “tell” her oldest daughter that.

Kotb continued, “We feel like we’re learning. How are you a different parent with your seven-year-old?”

McDonald explained that her older daughter offers her valuable insight. “One thing is that I have my 23-year-old’s input in how I’m parenting my 7-year-old which is amazing, because she could literally say, ‘This is what you did do right with me, here’s where you could work on it,’ which is great, it’s wonderful. I actually feel like in some ways I have a co-parent with her,” she said.

The Today co-hosts have previously joked that they should bring back the 2004 reality series Wife Swap so they could help each other with their kids.

After they ranted a bit about their parenting pet peeves, Bush Hager had a bright idea.

“I have an idea: I think we should send my children to your house and your children to mine, like you know that old show, and see what happens,” Bush Hager told her co-host. “Because Mila would come back all whipped into shape.”

We would certainly watch that!

For now, it looks like the Today hosts will just have to continue getting parenting advice from the guests they have on the show.

Today with Hoda & Jenna airs on weekdays at 10/9c on NBC.