In a recent episode of her "IMO" podcast, Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, discussed childhood parenting choices with social psychologist Jonathan Haidt.
The former first lady recalled a serious discussion with her husband in 2009, right after election day. "I told him, 'You still have to go to parent-teacher conferences. You're president now, but you're still the father of these two little girls'," she recounted.
Their daughters, Malia and Sasha, then 10 and 7, moved into the White House with their parents. Obama's goal was to normalize their experience, avoiding raising "kids who are just protected by the Secret Service".
Obama admitted initial reservations about forming friendships, fearing exploitation or media scrutiny. However, she recognized the importance of community in raising children. "If you don't become a part of the community that your children are growing up in, you've lost," she stated.
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The Obamas in 2015. Photo: AP |
The Obamas in 2015. Photo: AP
Barack and Michelle Obama have emphasized prioritizing discipline, boundaries, and responsibility over indulgence, despite their financial and political status. Without a nanny, they strived to handle school drop-offs and pick-ups, attend parent-teacher meetings, coach sports, and maintain regular family dinners.
"Our goal wasn't to raise 'little White House princesses,' but responsible young women who knew who they were and how to treat others with kindness," Michelle Obama explained.
The former first lady frequently shares her parenting philosophy. Last month, she revealed a disagreement with her husband about the Ferber method—a sleep training technique popularized in the 1980s. While Barack supported it, Michelle opposed leaving their children to cry for extended periods.
26-year-old Malia Obama graduated from the prestigious Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., and then Harvard University. She pursued a screenwriting career, interning at Harvey Weinstein's production company and writing for the Donald Glover-produced series "Swarm".
Sasha Obama, 23, initially attended the University of Michigan before transferring to the University of Southern California (USC). Despite being three years younger than her sister, Sasha is known for her strength, independence, and more private nature.
The scandal-free upbringing of the Obama daughters is considered a model of successful parenting amidst fame and power by media worldwide.
In the June 18th podcast episode, Michelle Obama humorously expressed relief at not having a son, joking that "he'd be another Barack Obama" if they had.
Nhat Minh (Dailymail/Yahoo)
