Hoda Kotb is grateful that her ex, Joel Schiffman, is present for their daughters—not only today, but every day.
The Today show alum opened up about their co-parenting relationship while filling in for Sheinelle Jones on the Nov. 9 episode of Today With Jenna & Sheinelle. Kotb and Schiffman, who ended their relationship in 2022 after eight years together, had recently reunited to watch their daughters, Haley, 9, and Hope, 7, participate in their school’s Halloween parade.
“Usually, my kids wave and try to hide,” Kotb said. But this time, “They saw Joel at the fence and beelined” toward him. The girls even told their friends, “‘That’s my dad,’” she recalled, explaining that “they don’t see him as much.”
“Whatever makes you different is hard, if your dad’s not there,” she continued. “I think there are a lot of kids who can relate. People will probably say, ‘Do you have a dad? Where is your dad?’ People ask them that.”
For the 62-year-old mother, the encounter became a “very meaningful” moment. It also helped her recognize the importance of encouraging Schiffman to be present more often in their daughters’ lives.