“`html
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Today
- At 60, Hoda Kotb revealed her past feelings of unworthiness regarding motherhood.
- The “Today” show host is a proud mother to two daughters, Haley (7) and Hope (5).
- Experts have noted the advantages of becoming a parent later in life.
Hoda Kotb has openly shared her experiences with imposter syndrome since becoming a mother.
The “Today” show anchor engaged in a conversation about parenting with Suzy Welch, an esteemed professor at NYU Stern School of Business, during the recent event titled
Making Space: A Wellness Weekend, held in Austin, Texas.
“After I became a mom, I found myself questioning if I truly deserved my children. It’s such an odd feeling,” Kotb admitted. She became a mother in her 50s and expressed that she initially felt compelled to work extra hard as she grappled with these thoughts. “I told myself that I’d strive to be the best parent possible because I wasn’t entirely sure,” she added.
Kotb now embraces her role as the mother of two adopted daughters—Haley and Hope—and emphasized that it took time for her to accept that she was deserving of this joy. “I am here; I deserve this role as their mom. This is what I’ve always wanted, and I’ll cherish them for as long as I’m able,” she stated confidently.
Having undergone treatment for breast cancer in 2007 which left her unable to conceive naturally, Kotb has been candid about navigating motherhood later in life.
In an episode from June 2023 on the “Just B with Bethenny Frankel” podcast, she reflected on how at one point she believed it was too late for her to pursue motherhood at age 50. However, after recognizing signs indicating that adoption could be an option for her family growth journey, she decided to take action by contacting an adoption agency.
“While I’ve never experienced childbirth firsthand—and I’m sure it’s incredible—discovering I’d become a mom at 52 felt remarkably close,” Kotb reminisced about receiving news of becoming a parent. “That moment is etched into my memory.”
This September marked another significant announcement from Kotb: plans to step down from anchoring duties on the “Today” show by 2025 so that she can dedicate more time to raising her children. “Given my late start in parenting life,” she explained during one broadcast segment, “I believe they deserve more quality time from me.”
The Trend Towards Later Parenthood
A growing number of women are choosing or finding themselves having children later than previous generations did. According to data released by the CDC in 2023, there was a notable increase—12%—in birth rates among women over age 45 between 2021 and 2022.
While older parents face unique challenges associated with their age group—including health considerations—they also enjoy distinct advantages when it comes to parenting skills and emotional maturity.
Heather Grossman shared insights into becoming pregnant at age 47 through articles written for Business Insider; initially grappling with feelings akin to parental imposter syndrome due largely due concerns over being perceived as ‘the oldest mom’ around other parents but eventually overcoming those worries through personal reflection.
“Experiencing those little kicks reminded me how extraordinary this journey truly is,” Grossman wrote while acknowledging support from loved ones who celebrated rather than judged her choices.
A similar sentiment echoed through Blake Turck’s experience; welcoming motherhood at age forty-three allowed Turck greater wisdom compared ten years prior.
“I’ve faced loss alongside love throughout adulthood,” Turck articulated beautifully while noting how nurturing herself had equipped them both better prepared today than if she’d started earlier.”
Source
“`
