Sheinelle Jones, co-anchor of Today, has recently opened up about the valuable parenting advice she has received from some of her esteemed colleagues, Al Roker and Maria Shriver.
Both of these seasoned broadcasters have offered insights that Jones says have helped her navigate the challenges of balancing her career with her responsibilities as a mother.
Speaking with PEOPLE in an exclusive interview, Jones, who is a mother of three, shared how Roker’s gentle wisdom on parenting has impacted her approach to raising her children.
Jones, who is the mother of a 14-year-old son, Kayin, and 12-year-old twins, Uche and Clara,
revealed that Al Roker has been a significant influence when it comes to managing the ups and downs of parenthood.
As a father to three children—Courtney, 37, Leila, 25, and Nick, 22—and a proud grandfather to his granddaughter Sky,
Roker has accumulated years of parenting experience, and he isn’t shy about passing on advice to his Today colleagues.
Jones recalled that whenever she, Dylan Dreyer, or Craig Melvin share their parenting challenges with Roker, his advice is always grounded in love and patience. According to Jones, Roker consistently reminds them that “you cover them with love,” emphasizing the importance of showing affection to children rather than focusing on discipline in moments of difficulty. Jones revealed that Roker rarely advocates for strict measures or punitive action, instead advising that the key is to cherish the fleeting moments with children. “It goes by so quickly,” Jones recalls Roker saying. This sentiment has been a guiding principle for Jones as she navigates her own parenting journey.
The advice Jones received from Roker was particularly impactful given the busy and often unpredictable nature of her work on Today. Like many working parents, Jones grapples with the challenge of balancing her professional commitments with her role as a mother. However, Roker’s perspective on parenting, which emphasizes love and emotional connection, has helped Jones maintain a calm and nurturing approach, even in the face of daily parenting hurdles.
Roker is not the only one offering Jones invaluable advice on managing her family and career. In an earlier conversation with PEOPLE, Jones shared another life-changing piece of wisdom she received from Maria Shriver. Shriver, a mother and former journalist, noticed that Jones was pushing herself too hard in both her professional and personal life. During a celebration of Jenna Bush Hager’s Today book club in March 2023, Shriver sat down with Jones and offered a candid observation: “You are doing too much. I know you want to be all you can at work,” Shriver told Jones. “Something has to give, and it’s okay.”
Jones expressed that this conversation was eye-opening and gave her the “permission” she needed to re-evaluate her own priorities. Shriver’s advice helped Jones realize that it’s not necessary to be everything to everyone all the time, and that finding balance and setting boundaries is essential to maintaining both her well-being and her family life.
Jones’s openness about receiving advice from her colleagues reflects a broader understanding of the importance of support networks in the journey of parenthood. In her case, the guidance from Roker and Shriver has been instrumental in shaping how she manages both her career and her role as a mother. As Jones continues to juggle the demands of Today with her family responsibilities, it’s clear that the wisdom she has received from her mentors will continue to influence her approach to parenting in the years ahead.
For Jones, these conversations have provided much-needed reassurance, reminding her that it’s okay to seek help and to reassess priorities when the pressures of life become overwhelming. She is just one example of how even those in the spotlight benefit from the wisdom and support of others, proving that parenthood, no matter how accomplished or busy one might be, remains a shared experience that unites people across all walks of life.
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