What Eagle-Eyed Fans Spotted in Hoda Kotb’s Family Photo Has Everyone Talking—The Secret ‘House Rules’ for Haley and Hope That Reveal the Hidden Side of the Beloved Today Star’s Parenting.

TODAY alum Hoda Kotb posted a sweet Father’s Day tribute to her ex-fiance Joel Schiffman, but it was her household rules in the background of the photo that had fans gushing.

On Sunday, the former Today anchor shared a rare photo of her daughters with their dad, as she captioned the sweet snap, “A great father’s day for a great dad! Happy father’s day Joel!”

While fans praised Hoda and Joel’s co-parenting relationship in the comments, they noticed something in the background of the photo.

Taped to the fridge was a handwritten piece of paper that said “House Rules” in capital red letters.

The first rule read, “Kindness to all of the people in our house!”

The second and third read, “Kindness to our friends” and “Kindness to all.”

One fan wrote of her rules, “Great photo! Happy Father’s Day!! Ps: love the ‘house rules’ on the fridge! Kindness to all.”

A second wrote, “I love the house rules. They should be world rules!”

Another commented, “Lovely family! Your girls are well loved! Blessings to you all as you raise your daughters to be kind to all.”

In May, Hoda opened up about Hope’s health issues in an interview with People.

In February 2023, Hope had a sudden onset of mysterious symptoms, with the young girl then forced to spend two weeks in the hospital.

Hoda was forced to take a leave of absence from the Today show.

Hoda opened up about how Hope is living with type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease which prevents the pancreas from making its own insulin.

Speaking about the impacts of Hope’s health, Hoda said, “It’s kind of constant care for Hope.

“We’re monitoring her 24/7,” she told the outlet.

She went on, “She was getting shots — four or five a day — every day for a year.

“Now she is getting them less frequently because we have some other means to get her what she needs, but there’s a lot to it.

“Some kids can have sweets and she can’t. If she’s up in the night, we have to take care of her at night.”

She then added some more positive comments about her daughter and how she is “a happy, healthy, rambunctious, amazing kid.”

Hoda noted how diabetes is a part of her, “but not all of her” and she hopes it will “shape her” but “never define her.”

She then opened up about how being able to watch over her and be there for her children was not possible when she had a long-term job at Today.

Speaking candidly, she said, “I really wanted to and needed to be here to watch over her. So, whenever she needs anything, and it can happen at night, multiple times, I’m up — I’m up up up.

“It wasn’t that alone. But if you look at it cumulatively, it was a part of that decision,” she went on.

Since leaving Today, Hoda now works from home and noted how there’s a “split verdict” on her kids having mom there for them all of the time.

“I think that on some days they love it and sometimes I think I might be cramping their style a little bit, because they were used to a morning routine minus me,” she said.

Not only is Hoda Kotb a beloved television personality, she has also earned the admiration of millions for the way she embraces motherhood—with resilience, tenderness, and, notably, house rules taped right on her fridge that inspire kindness.

The handwritten note titled “HOUSE RULES” in bright red letters became the unexpected highlight of her Father’s Day tribute photo. Without being preachy or excessive, the simple rules—“Kindness to all of the people in our house,” “Kindness to our friends,” and “Kindness to all”—struck a chord with countless fans.

In a world filled with noise and tension, these rules serve as a quiet but powerful reminder: kindness begins with the smallest acts, and it starts at home.

Hoda’s decision to include a photo of her former fiancé Joel Schiffman—still a devoted father to their daughters—was another beautiful testament to maturity and grace. Their co-parenting relationship is not defined by bitterness or regret, but by respect, gratitude, and a shared commitment to their children.

Alongside the happy family moment, Hoda has also been open about the challenges her daughter Hope faces with type 1 diabetes. From multiple daily injections to round-the-clock monitoring, Hoda has stepped into a new chapter—one of being a full-time, fiercely attentive, and deeply loving mother.

“I wanted and needed to be there for her,” Hoda has shared. “And that just wasn’t possible with the intense rhythm of morning television.”

Her journey from a powerful broadcast anchor to a mother prioritizing her daughters above all else hasn’t been easy. But Hoda has proven that sometimes, stepping away from the spotlight is what leads us to the truest light—the light of motherhood, compassion, and the quiet strength found in the rules of a refrigerator door.