
Hoda Kotb, the 60-year-old TV personality, shares her experiences and advice on navigating social interactions where people mistake her for the grandmother of her young daughters.
- Dec 18, 2024
AceShowbiz - During a segment of "Today with Hoda & Jenna", Hoda Kotb, 60, candidly addressed the issue of being mistaken for the grandmother of her daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5. When asked if older moms should correct these assumptions, Kotb responded with a resounding "Yes."
Kotb recounted an encounter where someone referred to her as "grandma," to which she replied, "No, I'm their mom." While she clarified that she personally doesn't get offended by such mistakes, she understands the frustration it can cause.
Kotb explained that she chooses to correct people because she wants her children to see her as their mother, not their grandmother. "For your kids' sake, you should say, 'Oh, no, actually...' but also don't take offense," she advised.
Her co-host, Jenna Bush Hager, 43, added a humorous touch to the conversation, noting that some moms may feel "tired" or "want to crawl into the pantry and eat a string cheese."
Kotb emphasized that there is diversity among moms, including age, appearance, and energy levels. "Some moms are older, some moms are younger, some are taller, some are shorter," she said.
Kotb's emphasis on correcting misconceptions stems from her journey as an older mom, adopting her daughters in her 50s. She believes that it is important for her children to understand that their mother is not defined by her age or assumptions about her appearance.