Jeannie Mai’s Daughter Monaco Is the Bravest Little Bilingual Explorer in New Video
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Jeannie Mai just gifted her daughter a National Geographic Bug Habitat, and the result is not just creepy and crawly — it’s also really cute. The TV personality shared a video on Instagram of her and her 2-year-old daughter Monaco “Coco” Mai Jenkins.
The video starts out with Mai and Coco in the kitchen with the bilingual toddler telling her mom in Vietnamese that she’s going to catch a bug “to keep for just a bit.” (In case you’re wondering how long “just a bit” is, Coco held her thumb and forefinger close together in front of her eye to demonstrate.)
“Afterwards, I’m gonna let the bug go play,” she continued in Vietnamese. “This is my Bug Hotel.”
“I won’t let my bug be scared,” she insisted, swinging her head back and forth and making our hearts melt.
National Geographic Bug Habitat
The video then cuts to footage of Monaco running outside — looking too dang cute in her blue and white striped tank top, matching bow, wide-legged jeans, and Vans — yelling for a mosquito. (How cute is that?!) Coco and Mai excitedly crowded around a possible bug on the sidewalk … only to realize it was an acorn. (Womp womp!) Luckily, someone with a long pole helped get Coco a spider that was up in a tree.
The toddler excitedly watched the spider through the microscope on her “Bug Hotel” and added a stick to make the place more homey.
“🕸️ Meet the newest member to our family.. Sahra 🕷️🕸️,” Mai captioned the joint post with her daughter. “(Mommy’s adjusting 🫢)”
Because while Coco bravely looked after Sahra, her mom couldn’t help but squirm and squeal. As the video continues, Coco shows off her bilingual and entomologic prowess — answering her mom when asked both how to say “spider” in Vietnamese and what they eat. They even added “a friend” for Sahra, welcoming another spider to the Bug Hotel.
If you’re wondering how Mai ended up in a position where she needed her toddler to comfort her while she got squirmish around the bugs, the host of The Real commented on the post and said Monaco asked what spiders do for fun.
“So I said let’s find out. Her name is Sahra and she’s staying til Halloween. Then deuces Sahra ✌️”
What a great STEM activity to celebrate spooky season! This will be a great way for Coco to observe and learn a staple of Halloween, and Mai can take comfort in the fact that Sahra has a planned exit date
Fans were fawning over Coco — tripping over each other to say how cute Coco is and point out her “adorable” raspy voice.
“Love that she teaches her to speak fluently in both languages” “Oh my goodness she’s all grown up now 😭” “Omggg she is the cutest, I love how babies arent scared of bugs 😅” “She’s speaking vietnameseeeeee in her lil raspy voice 😍 AND making spider friends 🥹 and mom is super supportive ❤️”
Plus, they have nothing but nice things to say about Mai who wasn’t always sure she wanted to be a mother. “She’s so smart & brave! God bless you mama you’re such a great mother❤” “You soooo needed her to be here! I love how you mother her❤️❤️❤️”
Last week, Mai shared a dreamy candid with Coco — who she shares with ex Jeezy. She’s holding the little munchkin in her arms and they both have the most endearing grins on their faces as they stare into each other’s eyes. “The forever Joy to my Wild,” Mai wrote.
Before you go, check out Jeannie Mai’s best quotes about being a mom.