Jessica Alba is preparing for one of those parenting milestones that can feel exciting and heartbreaking at the same time. The 45-year-old actress and entrepreneur opened up about her eldest daughter, Honor Warren, 18, preparing to leave home and begin college at Yale University this fall. While Alba knows a major family transition is right around the corner, she admitted the reality hasn't completely sunk in yet.
"It hasn't really hit me personally, but I think for any parent, just that milestone, it's intense," Alba told PEOPLE in an interview published August 19. "I don't think you can prepare for it. You just have to tackle it when it happens."
© PA Images via Getty ImagesJessica Alba Says Honor Leaving for College ‘Hasn’t Really Hit’ Her
Honor's move to college represents a new parenting chapter for Alba, who shares Honor, daughter Haven, 15, and son Hayes, 8, with Cash Warren.
Alba isn't trying to predict exactly how she'll feel when Honor leaves. Instead, she's approaching the transition as it comes. "I don't think you can prepare for it," she told PEOPLE. "You just have to tackle it when it happens."
That may be easier said than done. Honor has already gone through several significant life changes in 2026. She graduated from high school in May and turned 18 in June. Now she's preparing to start college at Yale, following in her father's footsteps.
© Getty Images for Jessica AlbaWhere Is Jessica Alba's Daughter Honor Going to College?
Honor Warren is headed to Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, for the fall 2026 semester. The Ivy League school has an especially meaningful family connection. Cash Warren also attended Yale, making Honor's decision a full-circle moment for father and daughter.
After Honor's high school graduation, Warren shared his excitement about seeing his daughter attend his alma mater. "You have no idea how special it is for me to watch you follow my path to Yale," Warren wrote in his graduation tribute, according to PEOPLE.
© Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty ImaHe also encouraged his daughter to embrace everything that comes with her next chapter. "Always remember, I am your safety net. I will always be here to catch you," Warren wrote, adding, "So take risks. Make mistakes. Learn from them."
His message ended with another reminder that Honor will have plenty of support from home: "There is no ceiling for you."
Jessica Alba Was Emotional at Honor's High School Graduation
Long before college move-in day arrived, Alba was already experiencing plenty of emotions about her daughter growing up. After Honor graduated from high school in May, Alba shared a heartfelt message about the milestone. "My baby girl graduated yesterday and my heart aches with pride," Alba wrote. "It feels like yesterday I was holding you in my arms, and in the blink of an eye, you're standing here ready for your next chapter."
© Corbis via Getty ImagesAlba also reflected on how quickly the years had passed. "Time is fleeting. Time is sacred," she wrote in her graduation tribute, adding that being Honor's mother had been "one of the greatest gifts of my life."
In a graduation video shared on social media, Alba made it clear that the day had already brought on the tears. "Mom's been crying. Crying all morning honestly," she said while getting ready with Honor.
Jessica Alba and Honor Got Matching Tattoos Before College
Alba and Honor also commemorated their relationship in a more permanent way before the teenager's college departure. The mother-daughter duo got matching tattoos featuring an eye with an infinity symbol underneath. Alba's design sits near her wrist on her forearm, while Honor's is on her inner wrist.
© Dave Benett/Getty ImagesHonor shared a glimpse of their new ink in July with a simple caption: "Me x Mama ♾️♾️♾️."
Tattoo artist Daniel "Winterstone" Winter also celebrated the sentimental session. "What a way to show love with an unforgettable experience!" he wrote, calling the tattoos "a memory they will share forever."
