Hoda Kotb Shared How Her 5-Years-Old Daughter Earned Money at Home & the Adorable Way She Spent It

Hoda Kotb's daughter is only five, but she is already earning her own money and knows how to spend it on the right things, making her mom proud.

For a while, Hoda Kotb and Joel Schiffman's relationship seemed like a match made in heaven. From their first meeting to becoming parents, everything about the couple seemed almost predestined.

The television personality has been open about their first encounter in 2013, which almost never happened. She recalled her failed attempt to boycott a book signing due to the rain pouring down.

When she eventually showed up for the event, she got a chance to meet Schiffman after he approached her to sign a book for him. With aid from a contact at the event, they got in touch again via email and fixed their first date. The relationship progressed thereafter.

Kotb managed to keep the relationship private for the next two years before the media got wind of it. They went on to become parents to two adorable children, who are growing by leaps and bounds.

THEIR JOURNEY TO PARENTHOOD

After several years in the spotlight, Kotb found herself craving a taste of motherhood. At some point, she believed she had already missed her chance at motherhood as she was already nearing her forties without a child. Her luck changed when she eventually adopted two children, Hope Catherine, 3, and Haley Joy, 5.

Speaking on her decision to adopt, Kotb revealed she knew she wanted to become a mom after seeing podcast host Sheryl Crow with her two adopted boys. That prompted her to broach the subject of adoption with Schiffman, who openly welcomed the idea. She recalled:

"I looked him in the eye and said, 'I would like to explore adoption with you.'"

She made it clear to him that they either went through with the adoption or called it quits. They proceeded to welcome their daughter, Haley, in 2017, with Hope joining them two years later. The two girls have been parts of their lives ever since.

On why she never became a mom earlier, the mother of two admitted she always wanted kids but pretended otherwise because she thought she had already missed her window.

HODA KOTB'S DESIRE TO WELCOME A THIRD CHILD

Kotb has been open about her plans to become a mom a third time. However, those plans seem to have seen some setbacks in recent years.

She put her plans in motion even before the onset of the pandemic, deciding to expand her family with Schiffman. During her appearance on "Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen," the star recounted how the pandemic slowed down the process.

According to her, they experienced some delays in the process because many parents who were previously willing to give up their babies for adoption changed their minds amid the coronavirus outbreak.

For most, their decisions stemmed from wanting to have something to hold on to while navigating the lockdown and the pandemic era. Notably, her chances of becoming a third-time mom were not the only setback the TV host encountered over the pandemic. Contrariwise, her relationship with Schiffman took a hard hit as well.

BEGINNING ON NEW TERMS

Throughout the pandemic, the pair, who got engaged in November 2019, was forced to reschedule their wedding severally, but never got their chance to say "I do."

During an appearance on the "Today Show" in January 2022, the icon disclosed the heartbreaking news that she and Joel Schiffman decided to go their separate ways after eight years together. Her revelation came in response to fans inquiring why she had not been wearing her engagement ring. She divulged:

"Joel and I have had a lot of prayerful and meaningful conversations over the holidays and we decided that we are better as friends and parents than we are an as engaged couple."

The duo decided to begin the new year on new terms, each taking different paths. Notwithstanding, they remain good friends and amazing parents to their two daughters.

Kotb clarified that nothing happened between them, as they simply resolved to go their separate ways. She believes their relationship was meant to be from the onset and hence, had no regrets.

Admittedly, openly discussing the breakup felt awkward. Yet, she knew she needed to be brave "in the moment," no matter how strange it felt, and focus on her kids rather than pretend otherwise.

HAVING KIDS TO HOLD ON TO

Despite the happenings of these past years, Hoda Kotb was glad to have something good come out of the relationship. She owed her kids to her time with Schiffman and has admittedly found calmness and fulfillment thanks to the youngsters.

The duo, aged five and three, respectively, are growing by leaps and bounds, bringing happiness to everyone around them. Recently, the proud mom gushed about her eldest daughter, Haley, singing her praise.

The media personality recounted how the five years old already earned money by doing chores around the house. Aside from her penchant for working hard, the little one had a heart of gold that enabled her to spend her money the right way.

Kotb recounted how the girl insisted on calling Mo, a man who ran a neighborhood restaurant, to ask about his favorite ice cream flavor. He innocently replied chocolate without giving it a second thought until they ran into each other on the streets sometime during the week.

When the store owner asked why she requested his favorite flavor, the child explained she was able to save a lot from doing her house chores all week and wanted to treat him to ice cream once she had enough for it.

The gesture touched the man greatly, and the 57-year-old could not be more proud of the kind little girl. Despite being a single mom, Kotb is certainly a good mother who is raising her daughters right.