Al Roker Reveals the Difficult Lesson He Had to Learn as a Grandpa: 'They Have to Find Their Way'

Al Roker is opening up about how he fulfills his grandpa duties.

The news anchor, who became a “pop-pop” in July 2023 when his daughter Courtney, 37, gave birth to baby girl Sky Lara, told Today about how he had to learn how to take a step back and let his kids pursue their own parenting styles with their children.

"Look, our kids have to find their path," Roker told Today. "Everybody’s parental style is different. So, you kind of let them find their way. You can gently suggest things and your kids can take that and use it or not. And once you’ve given that advice, you have to let it go, because they have to find their way."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The proud father and grandfather continued to share his pride for his daughter and the family she's created.

"I’m very proud of my daughter and my son-in-law," Roker explained. "They’re terrific parents and they’ve raised this, so far, incredibly happy baby who’s just very content, and very adventurous when it comes to food and just has a very, very lovely, happy disposition."

"So it's like, 'Well, whatever you’re doing, you’re doing a great job. I know it feels like it’s this all-consuming gig because in fact it is. But you’re doing a great job.'"

Back in June, Roker celebrated a monumental Father's Day — his first as a grandpa. While chatting with the other Today dads at Lucali restaurant in Brooklyn on Friday, June 14, Roker shared what he's most looking forward to about the special holiday.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

"The best part of Father's Day this year is that I'm a grandfather," Roker said, prompting his co-hosts to clap for him and raise their glasses in a toast. 

Roker explained that he never understood his friends’ obsessions with their grandchildren, and then, “This kid hits, and it’s like ‘Oh my God.’”

What’s the difference between raising grandchildren versus raising his own three kids? "It's pure joy," he shared. "There's no responsibility, other than you want them to be safe and happy. I don't have to teach her anything."