People Interview: Obama Family Rules

WASHINGTON — The rules in the Obama household for Malia and Sasha are clear-cut:

_"No whining, arguing or annoying teasing," their mother, Michelle Obama, told People Magazine.

_Make the bed. "Doesn't have to look good, just throw the sheet over it," said the mother of 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha.

_Set your own alarm clock. "They get themselves up, get their own clothes," said their grandmother Marian Robinson.

_And the allowance from Dad for doing chores is $1 a week. Barack Obama conceded that "I'm out of town for weeks at a time, so Malia will say, 'Hey you owe me for 10 weeks.'"

The likely Democratic presidential nominee and his wife are determined that his bid not disrupt the normal, happy childhood of their daughters, who would be two of the youngest residents of the White House in 30 years if Obama wins. Amy Carter was 9 when she moved in the White House in 1977.

Malia and Sasha visited the White House in 2005 and were bored until President Bush's dog Barney showed up and they romped with him on the South Lawn, Michelle Obama said.

While the candidate is on the road, the Obama girls keep a hectic schedule: soccer, dance and drama for Malia, gymnastics and tap for Sasha, piano and tennis for both. Michelle Obama tries to fit in three 90-minute workouts each week and hits the campaign trail two or three days a week _ a role that has brought criticism from political opponents.

"When some folks were attacking Michelle, Malia just asked, 'What was that all about?' and we talked it through," Barack Obama said, adding that it was fortunate that "she's completely confident about her mommy's wonderfulness."

"They have a wonderful life in Chicago," Barack Obama said. "So I'm sure there's a part of them that won't be heartbroken if things don't work out."

The Obamas rarely allow their daughters to be interviewed. After the television show "Access Hollywood" aired a report on the Obama children earlier this month, their father expressed regret for having agreed to it. "I don't think it's healthy and it's something that we'll be avoiding in the future," he later said.

The cover story appears in People Magazine's latest issue, on newsstands Friday.

Comments

[barackobama4prez]

$1 a week? that's crack prices! lol..hahahahahahaha.....what about freakin inflation? This is similar to how I was raised. We were taught to be earners. We weren't lavished with expensive gifts, even though my folks could afford to. My mother would NOT buy my bro. those $200 pair of nikes. It was the principle of hard work that stays with me and my 5 siblings today.

[kinnycut]

Keeping his children out of the limelight is a good idea now, but if he wins that will be virtually impossible. If he wins, he is going to have to adopt the JFK approach. He is going to have to let the public in just enough to lift curiosity, and take the mystique off his family. The more vigorously you try to protect something in public life, even your family, the more curiosity you generate because of it. Obama certainly shouldn't use his children like other presidents have, but reinventing that wonderfull imagery that the public affectionately called "Camelot" during the Kennedy years would not be a bad idea because it would shift the focus from just his children to the entire family unit. By putting your entire family on center stage, you are, in effect, protecting them by hiding their individuality in plain sight. This is why when people talk about the Kennedy's it is always in terms of the family because we have always been coaxed to focus on the unit, not the individual.

[fisharefreinds]

To bad Mrs. Obama has to project herself as a Laura Bush clone. It would be nice to see her as a real person instead of the "little woman" brought out for tea and non-threatening social issues.

[ElliotNC]

"Hey, Teacher, leave those kids alone."

[terraprieto]

I'm an Obama supporter who wishes the Obama children were not in the limelight. I'd prefer no magazine covers, no joining their father on stage, and certainly no interviews.

I feel it is an invasion of their privacy and I'm uncomfortable with it. Though it won't change my vote, it does make me feel the Obamas are not protecting their children as well as I would have hoped.

[ElliotNC]

I am SOOOOOOO Happy to see that the Obamas are not USING(!!!) their Children the way that the Clintons and Bush did.

[Daniboy]

No more interviews for children-oops-another flip-flop

[debwarot]

The children weren't interviewed, Daniboy.

HINT: Your comments are usually more compelling, not to mention accurate, if you first read the article on which you are commenting.

[Shelly1970]

Ah, probably better to let him be. They don't have much material to work with after all.

[mlr710]

What a beautiful family.....and the $1 a week is perfect...I bet those girls can manage their little allowance better than most adults manage their paychecks.

[maryhaze]

man, i'm overpaying my two rotten boys!

[BethinIllinois]

So much for not having their kids featured in any more interviews...

[gloriar8]

They weren't in the interview, Michelle was doing the interview.

[bookon]

Might want to READ the article before posting an attack. Since the kids are not interviewed in this, you look like a fool.

[LAB10]

Most Republicans do look like fools right about now.

[joeyp404]

It was M and grandma who were pimp ed out for this interview.

[Liberoservative]

People Mag did this story BEFORE the Access Hollywood segment.....

[jlgcox]

One dollar week?! This explains why his campaign is not in the RED - he is frugal!! From someone that has max out on donations to his campaign, I appreciate that he is frugal!

[leftoflennon]

Wait...McSame's gonna complain about this too,.

[timothyi]

OLD MAN YELLS AT CLOUD

[pb28]

The Obama kids get a $1 as a reward for doing their chores. McCain"s daughter got an $830,000 condo as a reward for graduating college. Who is the elitist?

[lynnn]

Good question!

[emmaspeaks]

Down to earth with everyday moral values.

[lincheryl]

Also he doesn't run up ridiculous credit card debt like some other candidates and their wives. He was described recently as REASONABLE. That doesn't sound exciting, but it is important. He is intelligent and stable. He makes good decisions after weighing all the options. This is what we need in the presidency.

[Sarahjan]

Carol

some of us are holding back from publicly critiquing senator Obama's marketing of his lifestyle to voters because we wish Sen. Obama to win in Nov 4. However, he needs to keep his kids off access Hollywood; he needs stop lecturing to poor people about parental rules and parental responsibilities. voters want to know his policies not the preferred ice cream flavors of Barack Obama's kids. We all know that Obama is rich man and he can give his kids anything they wish; and that he owns a million dollar home.

[mypov123]

Umm...has he ever talked about the "millions" of dollars that he has? No. And for the nth time, there was nothing wrong with the Access Hollywood interview, it was a one-time deal and I don't think the kids will be scarred for life because of it, do you? As for the parental responsibility talk, I appreciate that he's the kind of person that is willing to tell people what they need to hear, and not always what they want to hear. People who have children DO need to take more responsibility in their role as parents. Considering that he and Michelle are raising two young girls who seem to be very well-adjusted and bright, and that he is a committed husband to his wife, he's a more appropriate messenger than someone like Jesse Jackson or Bill Cosby, who had extramarital affairs that produced children.

[Senella]

Well said, Thank You!!!!!!

[thankulord13]

I agree with you on the issue policies! He is only lecturing on responsibilities to get the White vote.

[Dane1911]

Just because you can give your kids everything they want, doesnt mean you give them everything...I guess you were raised to be spoiled....

[VcKrc]

He is not lecturing poor people, he is lecturing young men that dont take responsibility for their children. And young parents that dont ever turn off the tv or put away the video games.
Because he was raised by a single mother, he can do that. Because he has worked in communities that have problems with babies having babies he knows a little about the subject. It has nothing to do with economic status and everything to do with parental responsibility.

[Canaris]

Would you rather he tell people that it's the government's fault their kids are screwed up? Or the schools' fault? Or Whitey's fault? Maybe he should blame videogames or rap music? Should he perhaps say that if you father a child, hey, what the hell, don't take responsibility, the government will take care of them? If one of his policies is "take responsibility for your own actions", well, that's a policy position I can certainly support. It would also mark a pleasant and needed change of the current occupant of the White House's policy of "blame everyone but me".

He's speaking the truth on this issue. If your kids are screwed up, look at what kind of parent you are first. Ninety nine percent of the time, that is where the problem lies. This is true whether the parents in question are rich, poor, or middle class.

[Politicallie]

"No whining, arguing or annoying teasing"

Maybe the McCain campaign staff and surrogates should get a a similar list of rules...

[Gma11]

I actually broke down and bought an Us magazine with Michelle on the cover.

Now I'm going to be going out and buying People.

Who woulda thunk it?!

[Sarahjan]

Hello Black fathers, this is the model! Fellow it. If you cannot afford the money to purchase a million dollar home, put your children to piano classes and little league soccer, then, you have to work harder to earn more money to realize your American Dream, just like the Obamas!

[reasoniskey]

Despite your facetiousness, it is true that the O family is a good family for any family to follow as an example. O did not say you had to be millionaires to have realized the American Dream. He is simply saying that mediocrity can no longer be deemed okay, and that excellence should be the pursuit of every man. You are partially right even in your jesting. It would be a good idea for men to consider whether or not they can afford the children they bring into this world before lying down and having unprotected sex. Moreover, you are in the wrong for attempting to berate the O's for having worked hard to give their children the lives that they were not fortunate enough to experience. This is what progress is about, and I believe that each generation should be reaching higher heights to further their family name.

[jOke]

what are you saying!!!????

[ritenow]

NOTHING WORTH WASTING YOUR TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.

[newgeneration]

you don't have to be rich to be a good father !!

[debwarot]

Did you really miss the point entirely or are you just spreading discord and ill will for the heck of it all?

[ebethgay]

At least Senator Obama got his money the hard way - he EARNED it through hard work. Senator McCaiin just married an heiress.