Hoda Kotb recently opened up about a relatable habit many busy moms can identify with. She confessed that sometimes, after returning home, she’s simply not ready to head into her responsibilities and will take a moment to hide out in her car. During a conversation with Today With Hoda & Jenna co-host Jenna Bush Hager, Kotb admitted this to be true.
“I absolutely love my minivan,” Kotb shared, prompting Bush Hager to ask with a smile, “Have you ever used it as a place to hide from your kids?” Kotb sheepishly nodded, confirming her secret, and Bush Hager immediately followed up with, “You hid yesterday, didn’t you?”
Hoda’s heartfelt confession resonates with moms everywhere
“Yes, I did,” Kotb responded, adding, “I just sat in the car outside my own house, not ready to go in.” She went on to explain, “I was in the car, just sitting there, thinking about everything I needed to do. I realized that the moment I walk inside, I’ll be consumed with tasks. So, I took a moment for myself before heading in.”
Bush Hager, who clearly understands this urge, responded with a knowing smile, “Sometimes you just end up sitting in the car, listening to music, enjoying a little alone time. You tell yourself, ‘Okay, just one more song, then I’ll go inside.'” Kotb agreed, acknowledging the importance of those quiet moments, “Sometimes you need a break to reset, and then you’re ready to tackle everything.”
Bush Hager, who shares three children—Mila, 11, Poppy, 9, and Hal, 5—with her husband Henry Chase Hager, has her own moments of needing space. Kotb, a mother to Haley, 7, and Hope, 5, shares her understanding, as she co-parents with ex Joel Schiffman.
In addition to these personal insights, Kotb revealed in September that she would be stepping away from Today, with plans to move on early next year. Reflecting on her decision, she shared, “At 60, I knew it was time to turn the page and try something new.”
Kotb also recalled a moment of clarity, standing outside, seeing fans holding signs, and realizing, “This is what it feels like at the top of the wave. I knew then it was time to move on.”
