Strollerderby : first lady

Brits Say Michelle Obama Cheaped Out on Gifts

JeanneSager — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:57:00 GMT

Somebody please remind the British press that the world's economy is in the dumps.

Their latest gripe about America? Michelle Obama didn't give "nice enough" gifts to the British prime ministers children. Or, to be precise, the first lady's gifts to Gordon Brown's boys were not as nice as the outfits bestowed on Sasha and Malia Obama by the prime minister's wife.

During her meeting with Sarah Brown, Mrs. Obama apparently handed over two toy models of Marine One, the Presidential helicopter, for the Brown boys, Fraser and John. Yes, toy helicopters for little boys. How dare she? (It should be noted that the Brown children are not the ones acting like prats here.)

Sarah Brown, by the way, went all out with dresses from Top Shop accompanied by matching necklaces and a series of children's books by British authors. Perfectly nice gifts, of course. But does that make them any better than some toy helicopters for little boys? My daughter would LOVE a toy helicopter.

The exact charge from the London Times was that Michelle Obama was "solipsistic" because the models of Marine One rubbed in the Browns' faces that her husband is president of the United States. Er, OK. But he is. And last time I checked, that's WHY Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Obama were exchanging pleasantries. If we're really going to put that spin on it, couldn't it be argued that a selection of British literature is a slam on the American lit the girls are used to? (Not that I'd agree, just playing devil's advocate here). Or perhaps I'm rubbing it in my southern in-laws faces that their son married a Yankee when I bring them jugs of fresh maple syrup from New York to Virginia?

Perhaps the British press could find something better to focus on than the toys given to two little British children by the first lady of the United States. Like, maybe, what their father was in town to discuss?

Image: London Times

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What They're Babbling About: Guilty Pleasures

JeanneSager — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:03:00 GMT

Turns out the "bad parents" of Babble aren't the only ones who love to talk taboos. We've all got our guilty pleasures, does anyone think becoming a parent means they go hide in some closet with that stained onesie they wore home from the hospital and we just can't bear to part with?

Dig in to the dirt with this week's What They're Babbling About:

Attention discount shoppers, Target's got a fan in San Francisco. The reason every parent should fall in line - their return policy lets you say "My toddler decided today she doesn't like it quite as much as yesterday and will now have nothing to do with it. For no reason." Like your kid hasn't done that. - The Poop

The CPSIA is the new law parents love to hate, but there's still a lot to be said about fighting the lead fight. Are we suddenly becoming complacent after years of indignation? The author of Toxic Truth offers an interesting look at lead's scary past. - Beacon Broadside

Are you as in love with the Mom in Chief as we are? The parents at Cookie Mag are - they've got Michelle Watch going on 24/7, as they follow the First Lady's first one hundred days in office - Cookie

I'd love to tell you I remember every second of every moment of my daughter's first one hundred days. Unfortunately, as Sabrina Weill points out, my momnesia's nothing new. At least that's what I think I remember her saying. - Parent Dish

Sometimes I can't remember what about my daughter has me up in arms either - sound familiar? Sounds like I'm not the only parent who can't hang on to her righteous indignation - ParentDish

Image: Cookie

Ty Company Discontinues Sasha and Malia Dolls

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:01:00 GMT

Even Ty Warner has to answer to someone. The Ty Warner Company has decided to retire the Mahvelous Malia and Sweet Sasha beanie babies, due to objections from the White House. The First Lady had a hunch that those dolls’ names were no coincidence, despite the Ty Company’s assurance to the contrary.

One could argue that there’s nothing wrong with little girls seeing Sasha and Malia as role models—and if that means having doll versions of the First Daughters, why not? But Michelle Obama is making an important point about the crassness of using children to turn a profit. (Anyone see the latest Toddlers and Tiaras?)

Fear not, beanie baby-loving parents: Precious Paris and Bubbly Britney are still available, and they are more than happy to stand in as your children’s very expensive role models.

Photo: New York Times

Michelle Obama Objects to Sasha and Malia Dolls

Sasha and Malia Beanie Baby Dolls

Caylee Anthony Doll, the Worst Toy Idea Ever

Michelle Obama Objects to Sasha and Malia Dolls

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:30:00 GMT

If you were one of the many skeptics who aren’t buying the Ty company's claims that their recently released dolls--Sweet Sasha and Marvelous Malia--have nothing to do with President Obama’s daughters, you’re in good company.

Michelle Obama has objected to the Ty company’s thinly veiled exploitation of her daughters. According to a spokesperson for the first lady, Michelle believes "it is inappropriate to use young private citizens for marketing purposes.” Bravo!

Michelle didn’t add (nor did she need to) that she’d hardly be flattered to have her daughters represented in the TyGirlz line, which includes Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, and Paris Hilton.

Photo: UPI

Sasha and Malia Beanie Baby Dolls

Ty Company Discontinues Sasha and Malia Dolls

Caylee Anthony Doll, the Worst Toy Idea Ever

Best of FameCrawler: Week of January 23rd

Whit Honea — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Obama's Inauguration Speech and Oath - Text and Video

Inaugural Ball Photos: President Obama,First Lady Michelle & The Stars

Jenna and Barbara Bush: Letter to Malia and Sasha Obama

Sing This To Your Kids Tonight Instead Of A Lullaby: Will.i.am's America's Song (Free Download!)

Tragic: Sarah Parish's Infant Daughter Dies

Katie Holmes Has to Be Pregnant This Time

Whose Smokin' Hot, Bikini Ready, Post Baby Body Is This?

Lily Allen Talks About Miscarriage

Spike.com Hates Moms, Preggos And Women In General

Sasha Gives Barack Obama a 'Thumbs Up'

Video: Obamas' Inaugural Ball First Dance & Michelle Wears Jason Wu

Ex- NFL Player Shane Dronett Dead

Move Over Jackie, Make Way for the Second Mrs. O (Obama, That Is)

JeanneSager — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:54:00 GMT

It takes nothing away from President-Elect Obama to say that everything he's accomplished (for the past fifteen years at least) has been with help. When he walks into the White House on January 20, everyone knows he'll do so hand in hand with wife Michelle. Is the nation ready for another Mrs. O in the White House?

Already, an Obama White House has earned the nickname "Bamelot," an ode to the time of the Kennedys and then-First Lady Jackie Kennedy's life in so-called Camelot. If anyone can fill Jackie O's shoes, Michelle O seems the one to do it (although please, please, let her not face the same level of tragedy as her predecessor). While the two women's backgrounds are drastically different, both have/will serve double duty as First Lady and mother to young children. Both highly intelligent, they took active roles in their husband's campaigns and still juggled their roles as mother.

They were/are warm women, women we could/can relate to, women we as mothers could emulate. I know, it has nothing to do with the success off a president or the worth of a first lady, but a new Website devoted to Mrs. O that breaks down Michelle's jewelry, shoes, dresses, etc. reminded me that being a mom doesn't have to mean looking like a shlub day in and day out! Now we have another mother in the spotlight to remind us we can do it all, even in heels.

Image: Mrs.O.org

Woman in Labor Holds Off Delivery Until After Voting for Obama

Balancing Work and Parenting—When You're the First Lady

Behind the Scene Photos Of the Obamas On Election Night

Boy Tells 'Your Mom' Joke, Boy Goes to Jail

Balancing Work and Parenting—When You're the First Lady

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

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.

Balancing Work and Parenting—When You're a Campaign Reporter

Strollerderby : first lady

Brits Say Michelle Obama Cheaped Out on Gifts

Obamas Pick a Breed and a Homecoming for First Dog

What a Typical Family Will Get From the Stimulus Package

Photo - Obama Shocked by Schoolkids

Are Chores Important? The Obamas Say Yes.

A Michelle Obama, Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton or Nancy Pelosi Preschool - Which Would You Pick?

VIDEO-Obama Bet Daughter She Will Freak When She Meets Nick Jonas

What They're Babbling About: Guilty Pleasures

Smackdown: I Need a Time Out!

Ty Company Discontinues Sasha and Malia Dolls

Michelle Obama Objects to Sasha and Malia Dolls

Best of FameCrawler: Week of January 23rd

Move Over Jackie, Make Way for the Second Mrs. O (Obama, That Is)

Disney: Not Your Kids' Company Anymore

Woman in Labor Holds Off Delivery Until After Voting for Obama

Balancing Work and Parenting—When You're the First Lady

Behind the Scene Photos Of the Obamas On Election Night

Balancing Work and Parenting—When You're the First Lady