It’s hard to think of a more challenging place to balance
work and parenting than the White House. But in an interview with Newsweek, Michelle
Obama explains how she plans to continuing to being a “mom first.”
Fortunately, according to Michelle, Barack “loves hard work”
and she loves “timetables and timelines and all that good stuff,” so they’re maintaining
their cool in the face of a massive transition.
She hopes to continue keeping family life separate from
work life, which she says she and Barack have mostly managed to do for the last
year-and-a-half. She acknowledges that it will doubtless become more
challenging once they’re in the White House, but says that “staying connected
to friends and family who know you” helps. To the end, she’s hoping that her mother will move to D.C. with them, so she can continue to be actively involved in her granddaughters' lives.
Michelle has been adamant about finding the right schools
for Sasha and Malia, attending parent-teacher conferences and all of their events,
and getting them involved in activities they’re excited about—in other words, she
and Barack will remain devoted, hands-on parents “no matter what their father’s
job is.”
Michelle believes this level of commitment is important not only for Sasha and
Malia, but as a model for other families: if even the president of the United States
helps his kids with his homework, we can all find time to help our kids with
their homework. “[Kids] have to be center in this society and this nation. We
have to put their education, their needs, their well-being first and foremost.
As adults, we can balance the other stuff. We're the grown-ups,” Michelle said,
laughing.
As for the criticism she faced on the campaign trail, Michelle
said, “Regardless of how they feel about Barack or the candidates, people are
decent and they're kind. They are willing to give you a chance to prove
yourself to them.” Now there is a lesson to pass on to our kids.
Related Post:
Balancing Work and Parenting—When You're a Campaign Reporter
