The Obamas are leading by example with regards to parenthood
January 24, 2009 | 8:25 pmSomething new has come to the White House: responsible parenting. I love the fact that, as the leader of his country, Obama sees it as part of his responsibilities to show America how he raises his daughters, and to show examples of successful parenting.
The first time he impressed me was when he refused to let them participate in interviews during the campaign and when he made it a point to tell people that the kids were not left at home with a babysitter every night, but that their grandmother was the one taking care of them.
A few days before he was sworn in, he wrote his daughters a letter. It was moving, beautiful and loving. But more than that, it was showing what place a father can have in his daughter’s life, how he positions himself as the guardian of her future.
He shows that communication is important, and that while it is not expected that every father write their daughter a letter, you can imagine how this would transcribe, in a normal family setting, to regular conversations between a father and a daughter, him sitting on the side of the bed, saying goodnight to her every evening, giving her the kind of comforting advice she will remember for the rest of her life.
A few days ago, we found out that Barack Obama was a night owl and liked working late. Yet he took the time to have dinner with his family before returning to work. Around the same time, Michelle told the press that her agenda, for the first month, was exclusively to take care of ensuring the transition to Washington was a smooth one for her daughters, and that everything else could wait.
As someone who, I believe, had one of the best fathers a daughter can ask for, i can tell you this. Obama offers something to his daughters that is priceless: security and consistency.
For a child, hearing his parents regularly tell him how much he means to them (the importance of the expressed feeling) and then seeing that message reinforced by seeing his parents come home every night, spend quality time, either at the dinner table or in the living room (the importance of actions)… There is nothing more constructive to shape a child’s future character.
I am Canadian, so whatever policies Obama sets probably won’t affect me directly. But watching Barack and Michelle parent, now that’s something that transcends borders and is truly and concretly inspiring.
Being a good parent is not brain surgery. But it requires love, time and dedication. And for all those fathers that think they are relagated to a secondary role behind the “primary” mother, think again. Watch Barack Obama, he’ll lead a whole new generation of good fathers.
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You are judging parenting from a distance and really don’t know the real details. The Obamas have certainly marketed their children for their political advancement. Their pictures are constantly seen on almost every magazine cover. Plus Michelle Obama and the liberal magazines seem to feel that Michelle missed her calling as a fashion model. So the first lady spends most of her time modeling for magazines . The Obamas love Jay Z , and most of the rap and hip hop artists. Have you ever read the lyrics these nuts are spewing out?? None of these lyrics are anything remotely positive but rather down right mean and degrading. What kind of an example is that to set not only for your own kids but also for American youth???? You say they have excellent parenting and yet there is absolutely nothing to back up your opinion.
Hi Linda, thanks for your comment! I love it when someone completely disagrees with me, so thanks for being honest! I never claimed that the Obamas were the model parents, i said that a new style of parenting has entered the White House, i.e. they are promoting their parenting skills (or non-skills according to you). And the end of your comment, you mention that i don’t back my opinion, but i’m pretty sure my post was filled with facts: facts to proove how their are making parenting a public affair, not facts about how they should be voted parents of the year.
You are absolutely right, i have NO idea what goes on behind closed doors. But i see what they want to show me, and i like what they see. I like that the grandmother is living with them. I like that Michele said that she won’t do anything in her first month other than ensure that her children are settled. I like that Obama comes home for dinner every night, even if he goes back to work afterwards. I like that he regrets the ONE official interview he did with his kids.
You wanted facts? Those ARE facts.
As for you criticizing rap music, i agree, the lyrics are horrible and demeaning to women. But it is part of what makes America, they are as much part of the culture as country, jazz, pop and everything else. Love it or hate it, it’s here. Yes, you can forbid your kids to listen to it. But i’ve learnt from experience that forbidding your kids from doing such things just means they’ll do it behind your back when you’re not looking. So i’d rather address it and explain to the kids what’s wrong with the lyrics and make it their choice.
As for Michelle being a model more than a mom, neither you and i are in a position to judge. I say she’s a great mom who publicly shows how much time she spends with her kids, you say she spends most of her time modeling for magazines. Like you said, we don’t know the real details.
Thank you for disagreeing with me (i mean it), and hope you can respect that I disagree in return.