Hoda Kotb recently found herself in a parenting predicament when her 6-year-old daughter, Haley Joy, expressed interest in wearing a midriff-baring crop top. Hoda, known for her friendly banter on the Today with Hoda & Jenna show, shared the amusing story with her co-host Jenna Bush Hager, leaving both women contemplating how to respond.
The encounter happened unexpectedly on a casual stroll, as Haley mischievously lifted her shirt. Hoda was taken aback, wondering how her daughter knew about this popular teenage fashion trend. Haley’s innocent giggles only added to the confusion.
Expressing her conflicting emotions, Hoda admitted, “It’s weird! You want your kids to feel good in your own skin, but isn’t that a weird thing!” Eventually, she decided to say no to Haley’s request, realizing the importance of maintaining boundaries.
Hoda’s parenting dilemma extends beyond this particular incident. She constantly wrestles with finding the right balance between allowing her child to make choices and setting clear limits. “Sometimes you wonder if you have one choice – sometimes it has gotta be no, don’t you think?” she mused.
As a 59-year-old mom, Hoda shares her parenting journey with two daughters, Haley Joy, and Hope Catherine, whom she co-parents with Joel Schiffman. Adopting both children at a slightly later stage in life, Hoda embraces the unique joys and challenges that come with being an older mom.
In her efforts to connect with other mothers, Hoda isn’t hesitant to share her experiences. Recently, during an appearance on the Just B with Bethenny Frankel podcast, she recounted the touching moment when she learned she was going to become a mother for the first time. The elation and anticipation she felt upon receiving the life-changing phone call were palpable.
To Hoda, being a mother means establishing meaningful connections with her children. She revealed her bedtime routine for Haley Joy and Hope Catherine on Today with Hoda & Jenna, listing the four essential things she tells her daughters before they drift off to sleep: “I love you. I’m proud of you. I think you’re terrific, and I’m glad you’re mine.”
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Picturesque moment of Hoda Kotb and her daughter