54-Year-Old Broadcaster & Adoptive Mom, Hoda Kotb Gets Real About Adjusting From One Kid To Two
Transitioning from one kid to two can be a big adjustment, but popular American broadcast journalist, television personality and author, Hoda Kotb is happily embracing the chaos.
Two years after adopting her first daughter, Haley Joy, the 54-year-old “Today” host welcomed another baby girl, named Hope Catherine, in April.
While appearing on the red carpet at Sesame Workshop’s 50th Anniversary Benefit Gala on Wednesday, Kotb spoke about her growing family. She said:
“Everyone said it was going to be really tough, and it is. It’s more challenging in terms of juggling. But I have to say watching them together kind of erases that part. There are many times when Hope needs a bottle, and Haley’s in her room saying, ‘Come get me!’ ― and I’m like, ‘How do I do this?’”
Still, Kotb is finding ways to make it work. She noted:
“I say, ‘Mommy’s coming! What are you doing in your room?’ And then meanwhile I’m changing Hope, and I may say, ‘Hey, Hope needs you!’ I’m learning all the different ways to try to get them in sync with each other.”
Interestingly, Haley has been thriving in her role as a big sister and loves assisting her mom at home. Kotb said of her fuller family:
“I’ve got to tell you, I love it!. Haley’s at that age when she wants to be a helper. ‘Can you get this for me?’ ‘Yes, I can!’ And it gives her something to do.”
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The doting mom said Haley is also “obsessed” with “Sesame Street” and its cast of lovable muppets. She joked:
“It’s almost a little bit weird. I’m a little concerned. She gets up and says, ‘Where’s Elmo?’ It’s insane to watch her crazy in love with all the characters.”
On a serious note, Kotb added that she’s a fan of the values the show emphasizes. “I never imagined all the life lessons that are being taught there, and I feel like I learn things,” she said.
Kotb hopes these lessons resonate with her daughters. She explained:
“I love the basic stuff, like sharing, being kind, helping the kid who feels left out. I want Haley and Hope to be that kid who helps. You don’t know how that happens, but you hope that your child is that child. When they watch ‘Sesame Street,’ they see that somebody feels left out, and Big Bird brings them into the fold.”
Kids show monotony aside, Kotb is loving every minute of parenthood. She remarked:
“I can’t believe I’m standing here with two children!. Even when I say it out loud, I’m like, ‘Oh, my god! I got to do this? It’s so cool.’”
Kotb had it all- a rising career, a loving partner, Joel Schiffman and a network of loving and supportive friends.
Despite all of these, Kotb felt that something was still missing in her life and this kept gnawing at her: she wanted so dearly to be a mom. Already in her 50s, the American broadcast journalist had felt that window of opportunity had closed on her.
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Thanks to actress Sandra Bullock for the inspiration that saw Kotb dive into an adoption process through which she welcomed her daughter, Haley in 2017.
Ever since she adopted her Valentine’s day-born baby girl, Kotb has been overcome with joy like never before.