It's always a little bittersweet when life transitions happen, especially for families. Hoda Kotb decided to take a break from her duties on Today to focus on her family and celebrate a major milestone—her daughters' first day of school! Savannah Guthrie, her co-host, stepped in to explain why Hoda wouldn't be in the studio on Tuesday, September 3.
“Good morning, everyone! Welcome back to Today, where we bring you the news, weather, and all the latest stories,” Savannah, 52, said with her signature charm. “We’re so glad you’re joining us on this Tuesday morning. But guess what? Hoda is taking a well-deserved break. It's the first day of school for her girls, so she’s out there supporting them and making sure they have a great start to the year.”
Craig Melvin stepped into Hoda’s shoes for the day, taking over the news desk in the morning while she focused on getting daughters Haley and Hope ready for their first day of school. It’s moments like these that remind us how important it is to prioritize family, even when you’re a busy TV personality.
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“Happy Labor Day, everyone! Summer may be officially over, but there's something magical about the start of a new school year,” Savannah said to Craig, 45, who shared her enthusiasm for the changing seasons and fresh beginnings.
Hoda's Exciting New Chapter
Hoda Kotb has been busy making some big changes in her life, and her family is right there with her every step of the way. Recently, she revealed that she and her daughters are moving into a new home in the suburbs. This move comes with a lot of excitement and a little bit of nervousness, as it also means the girls will be attending a new school.
“It’s all about change—new kids, new school, new experiences, and a whole new chapter,” Hoda explained during an episode of Today on August 27. “And you know what? I’m embracing it. I want our new house to be a warm, cozy place where my kids feel at home, a place where they can grow and thrive. That’s my priority right now.”
“They’re so excited about having their own little space,” Hoda added. “A reading chair, a bean bag, their own beds—they’re thrilled about all the little things that make a house feel like home. It’s amazing to see how much joy they find in the simple things.”
The "Repotting Phase" of Life
Hoda, who shares her daughters with her ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman, described her current phase of life as being in the "repotting phase." It’s a metaphor she uses to explain the process of uprooting and replanting herself and her family in a new environment.
“When I found this little town that seemed perfect, a place that could teach my kids independence and help them grow, I told them, ‘We’re repotting,’” Hoda said with a smile. “They looked at me like, ‘What? Are we moving?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, but think of it as repotting.’”
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“Repotting is like pulling yourself up by the roots, and it can be scary at first,” she continued. “But then you go back into really great soil, and you grow bigger and stronger. That’s what this new chapter is all about for us.”
“It’s about embracing change, even when it’s scary,” Hoda said. “We’re going to grow bigger and stronger together in this new environment. It’s going to be a beautiful journey.”
Celebrating the End of Summer
Over the past few weeks, both Hoda and Savannah have taken time off from Today to enjoy the last bits of summer with their families before the kids headed back to school. Savannah, who shares children Vale and Charley with her husband Mike Feldman, posted a video on Instagram last week, captioning it, “Holding on to the last of summer.”
As for Craig, he celebrated his kids’ first day of school by sharing a heartfelt post on Instagram. On August 28, the proud dad of two, who shares children Delano and Sybil with his wife Lindsay Czarniak, posted photos of his kids heading off to school for the first time.
Craig wrote, “….and just like that. These two make me so happy and proud. I just wish it would all slow down a little,” alongside adorable photos of his kids.
Lindsay also shared photos from the kids’ first day of school on her Instagram page. “Let’s do this! Couldn’t be prouder of these two, but I also wish time would slow down just a little bit,” she wrote. “Hoping everyone has a wonderful school year ahead. And here are some fun outtakes trying to get all five of us (including the pup) in one shot. #family #school #backtoschool #love #parents.”
