Al Roker, the beloved Today show anchor, is settling into his role as a grandfather in the most entertaining way possible—by tossing out all the parenting rules he once followed. 

Since welcoming his first grandchild, Sky Lara, in July 2023, the 70-year-old broadcaster has fully embraced the perks of being a grandparent, and he’s not looking back.

In a recent conversation with PEOPLE, Roker opened up about how his approach to grandparenting is far more relaxed than his days as a strict dad. 

“I’m going to do everything I didn’t do as a parent with my grandchildren,” he admitted. “I am breaking all the rules.”

Sugar, Spoiling, and Saying “Yes”

Roker, affectionately known as “Pop-Pop” to little Sky, is reveling in the joys of spoiling his granddaughter. 

Unlike when he was raising his own children, he now has the freedom to indulge her every whim—and he’s loving every second of it.

“This kid’s going to be on sugar overload,” he joked. “She’s going to get whatever she wants. It’s going to be fantastic.”

Of course, one of the best parts of being a grandparent is handing the child back to the parents once the fun is over. Roker cheekily admitted, “Then I leave. It’s like, ‘Okay, she’s all revved up. Here you go. Bye. Got to go. Pop-Pop’s got a date with a ghost.’”

Learning From the Past

Roker’s new philosophy on grandparenting is inspired by his own childhood and the way his parents spoiled their grandchildren. He recalled that when he was raising his own kids, his mother would frequently give them sweet treats, much to the dismay of his wife, Deborah Roberts.

“Deborah would come to me and say, ‘You’ve got to talk to your mother. She’s giving the kids Yodels and Ring Dings and all that,’” Roker reminisced. His response? “I’m not talking to her. If you want to talk to her, good luck.”

That experience helped him understand that grandparents operate by a different set of rules. “As long as it’s nothing crazy like giving them a car when they can’t drive, I think all bets are off when it comes to grandparents,” he laughed.

A Proud and Loving Pop-Pop

Roker, who shares daughter Courtney, 37, with his ex-wife Alice Bell, and children Leila, 25, and Nick, 22, with Roberts, is no stranger to family life. However, becoming a grandfather has been a completely new and cherished experience for him.

He has spoken frequently about the pure joy of watching Sky grow and about his excitement for making lasting memories with her. “Being a grandparent outranks everything,” he said, emphasizing how much he’s looking forward to the years ahead.

His family has been a strong support system, particularly after his well-documented health struggles in recent years, including a battle with prostate cancer and serious blood clots that led to hospitalization. Through it all, Roker has remained positive, and now he has even more reason to celebrate life with his granddaughter in the picture.

The Grandparent Effect

Roker’s approach to grandparenting is a familiar sentiment for many, as grandparents often get to enjoy the lighter side of childcare. Unlike parents who are responsible for discipline, setting routines, and making tough decisions, grandparents have the freedom to say “yes” to all the fun things, from extra treats to playtime marathons.

His lighthearted attitude about spoiling Sky mirrors the experiences of many grandparents who relish their role as the ultimate source of love and joy—without the pressure of parenting responsibilities.

More Special Moments to Come

As Roker continues to bask in his role as a doting grandfather, it’s clear that Sky is in for an exciting childhood filled with sweet surprises, spontaneous adventures, and endless love from her Pop-Pop.

With Roker leading the charge, it’s safe to say that being a “rebellious grandparent” has never looked more fun.

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