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A beloved anchor from the Today show, Hoda Kotb, recently talked about how seeing Sandra Bullock‘s adoption gave her the courage to become a mother in her fifties. Looking back on her interview on Open Book with Jenna, Kotb reflected on what makes her somewhat different, and maybe wiser, in how she approaches giving birth to her daughters Haley and Hope. Since then, her honest confession has gone to many hearts with an explosion of conversations about motherhood, age, and representation.
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The snippet from the show is raw. Kotb relays the moment of realization: “when I was adopting kids and I saw Sandra Bullock, I’m like, oh, she did that. Yeah. Okay, so that’s not your problem.” Seeing someone “her age, our age” make a way in adoption and single-motherhood showed her literal map. Finally came the stages of a journey society rarely paints as conventional. Kotb embraces the term “older mom,” which, she says, used to irk her; but now, she is reclaiming it with a new definition. “I am kind of sitting in the fact that, I come with wisdom now.” What a definite and powerful addition to a conversation that could have been filled with insecurity.
The response to this snippet came almost immediately after, with almost unanimous support for it. Dr. Deepika Chopra made a statement that seemed to rally countless voices, saying simply, “‘I come with wisdom now’ @hodakotb couldn’t love you more! ❤️.” It encapsulates the public’s general appreciation of Kotb’s position of empowerment.
Stories began pouring in from many, weaving grim experiences that reinforced Kotb’s message. From across the dimensions, one said, “I’m so grateful for my older mom. ❤️” This fearful statement carries so much weight by actually bearing witness to the affirmative effects that life experience brings to parenting.
Optional: Maybe the most incredible responses testified to Kotb stepping into the inspirational shoes for others that Santa herself once took. Realizing it was in full swing when this woman exclaimed directly to Kotb, “Thank you!! You were the woman I saw adopt your incredible kids later in life that let me know I could do the same as a single woman over 40. Words can’t begin to describe how much following your journey and joy has meant to me!❤️.” This full-circle moment is a testament to the significance of visibility, both creating compelling content and broadcasting the experience of others, so that they might inspire possibilities for themselves. The news of a Practical Magic sequel is another example of Bullock’s enduring presence.
Some comments can’t go without wonderings as to why she felt the need to revisit her adoption story. These musings were instantly rebuffed by a few: “If you don’t want to hear it, you don’t have to listen,” but for many others, the story continues to provide inspiration. Another was rather pointed and even a bit cynical: “Money helps dear Hoda. Money helps.” While emotions are a lot harder to understand, what this reminded us of is the various privileges that sweeten such a life-altering decision.
The conversation also touches on what it means to be an old parent. One user wrote what is somewhat a common side note: “Yeah just take care of your health because you want to be there for when they get married and have kids unfortunately if they have kids later in life then you might not be here any more sadly.” This pokes some cold truth in the eyes but feels present nonetheless, in addition to thankfulness expressed by Kotb and many others in her camp. Bigger picture: living fully in the present with the time we have, not the time we don’t have.
A mother injected another layer: “I’m a fifty-three year old mom and my youngest is 12. I had him at 40. You are 💯accurate when you say with age comes wisdom… and patience too.” She brought out the revealing insight about social assumptions: “I hate it when people presume I had an accident at 40. No, it was planned.” This is probably another vine of that underlying judgment toward older mothers: that the birth of any of their children is assumed to be a left-handed surprise rather than a grooved decision in earnest.
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A reflection from Hoda Kotb is not just another celebrity sound bite. It is the actual voice thrown into the air as contributions toward a larger conversation: defining one’s chronology and coming to terms with the gifts accumulated with years under one’s belt. At least one journey, ignited by yet another and now burning bright for so many others, is a reminder: That in a myriad of ways, families can be forged: at any time in one’s life. And those years of accumulated wisdom? That may well be the most valuable bank any parent will have.