Hoda Kotb and Joel Schiffman put their co-parenting partnership in the spotlight as they reunited to celebrate their daughters’ first day of school.
On September 8, 2026, Kotb shared a series of family photos showing herself, Schiffman and their daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, heading off to school together. Haley, 9, started fourth grade, while 7-year-old Hope began second grade.
Kotb marked the milestone with a short but emotional Instagram caption: “It’s here! First day of school💥. 4th and 2nd grade! Whaaaatttt?”
The family moment offered another glimpse into the friendly relationship Kotb and Schiffman have maintained since ending their engagement.
Hoda Kotb and Joel Schiffman Celebrate Their Daughters
The first-day-of-school photos showed Kotb and Schiffman walking with their daughters. In another image, the former couple posed together with Haley and Hope.
The appearance was notable because Kotb and Schiffman are no longer romantically involved. However, they have continued to share parenting responsibilities and remain involved in their daughters’ lives.
PEOPLE reported that the former couple have continued to co-parent their daughters since their split. Kotb has also publicly praised Schiffman as a father on several occasions.
For the family, the school milestone was about the girls and another new academic year.
Haley and Hope Begin a New School Year
Haley entered fourth grade this year, while Hope moved into second grade.
Kotb has regularly shared school milestones involving her daughters. In 2025, she posted about Haley beginning third grade and Hope starting first grade. The latest school-year photos show how quickly the sisters are growing up.
Their school journey has also been part of a larger change in Kotb’s family life.
After leaving TODAY, Kotb has spoken about having more time for everyday moments with her children. Her life has included more school walks, activities and family routines.
In an interview with TODAY, Kotb previously described how meaningful those slower moments with her daughters have become.
Kotb and Schiffman Have Continued to Co-Parent
Kotb and Schiffman became engaged in 2019 after several years together. They later ended their relationship, but their connection as parents continued.
The former couple adopted their daughters in 2017 and 2019. Kotb has spoken warmly about Schiffman’s role in their family and has continued to recognise him as an important father figure in Haley and Hope’s lives.
Their public family moments have continued beyond school events.
In 2026, Kotb also shared a Father’s Day tribute to Schiffman and posted family photos around his birthday. The family also spent Christmas together, according to PEOPLE.
These moments suggest that their relationship has evolved from romantic partners into co-parents focused on raising their daughters together.
Hoda Kotb Has Embraced More Family Time
Family has become an increasingly important part of Kotb’s life since her departure from TODAY.
The former morning-show host has previously discussed slowing down and being more present with her daughters. That has included everyday activities that were harder to fit into her previous schedule.
In a TODAY interview, Kotb described enjoying morning walks to school and paying closer attention to conversations with her children.
Her latest school photos capture that change in a simple way: two parents walking alongside their daughters as they begin another year of school.
A New School Year for the Kotb Family
For Hoda Kotb and Joel Schiffman, the September 8 milestone was not simply about new grades.
It was another example of how the former couple continues to show up for Haley and Hope despite no longer being together romantically.
Kotb’s latest family photos also fit into a pattern she has shared with fans over the years. From early school drop-offs to more recent family routines, she has continued to document the girls’ growth while keeping motherhood at the centre of her life.
As Haley enters fourth grade and Hope begins second grade, the family is entering another chapter together.
Sources and Attribution
The current school milestone was reported by PEOPLE following Kotb’s September 8, 2026, Instagram post. TODAY has also documented Kotb’s experiences balancing motherhood with her post-TODAY life and her growing focus on family time.