During a recent episode of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, Hoda Kotb shared an eye-opening moment that many moms might relate to—being mistaken for her daughters’ grandmother. The 60-year-old television personality revealed how she handles the situation with grace and humor while ensuring her kids understand the importance of perception.
When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Grandma Jokes
On the Tuesday, December 17, episode of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, Hoda addressed a fan question about the polite way to correct someone who assumes you're a grandmother instead of a mother. "Yes, you should," she replied with a chuckle. "It happens to me all the time." Hoda, who has two daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5, with her ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman, took the opportunity to share her perspective on the matter.
When cohost Jenna Bush Hager, 43, asked if anyone had ever called her grandma, Hoda laughed and admitted, "Yeah, it’s happened. Someone once said, 'Oh, are you their grandma?' And I just smiled and said, 'No, I’m their mom.'"
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Why It Matters: Setting the Record Straight
While Hoda joked about the situation, she acknowledged that constant assumptions could get tiresome. "If it happened every single day, I think it might start to get annoying," she admitted. But for Hoda, the decision to correct people isn’t just about pride—it's about her children. "I want my daughters to see me and think of me as their mom," she explained. "So, I think for your kids' sake, you should clarify things, but don’t take it personally. As I tell my kids, some moms are older, some are younger, some are taller, some are shorter—it’s all part of life."
Jenna chimed in with her signature humor, saying, "And some moms are just tired. Or they just want to crawl into the pantry and eat a string cheese." The audience erupted in laughter, but the sentiment resonated deeply.
Setting the Example: Teaching Kids About Diversity
Hoda emphasized the importance of teaching kids that everyone is different. "I often tell Haley and Hope that some moms are tall, some moms are short, some moms are older, some moms are younger," she said. "You try to lay it all out there because your kids will react not just to what people say but how you respond." This approach helps normalize diversity and encourages kids to embrace differences rather than fear them.
She also shared this advice in a recent column for Real Simple, where she encouraged parents to handle such situations calmly. "You correct them—not out of frustration, but to set the record straight," she wrote. "Because your child isn’t going to remember what someone said; they’ll remember how you handled it."
A Mom's Love: Hoda's Heartwarming Moments with Her Daughters
Hoda clearly cherishes her role as a mother. Just days before this conversation, she posted a sweet photo of herself with Hope on social media, captioning it, "Great day with my little girl!" The image showed Hope leaning comfortably on her shoulder during a cozy outing to the theater. Fans were quick to comment, praising Hoda for her loving relationship with her daughters.
One fan commented, "So blessed you are! So blessed your daughters are to have found each other. Wishing you three Musketeers the very best life has to offer!" Another added, "This is what life is all about!!! So happy for you all." With Hoda's departure from TODAY in January, many fans expressed their hope that she'll focus more on these precious moments with her family.
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One commenter wrote, "How lovely!! Many more wonderful moments to come!! You will be missed!" Another said, "Understand the value of these moments, but I am so going to miss you in my mornings." It's clear that Hoda's authenticity and warmth have touched the hearts of countless fans across the globe.
