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First Mom-In-Law Moving to DC

Michelle's mom to help provide stability for her uprooted grandkids

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 12, 2008 6:26 AM CST

(Newser) – Michelle Obama's mother has agreed to make the move from Chicago to the capital to help America's next first family look after the kids, the Washington Post reports. No word yet on whether Marian Robinson will live in the White House, but it will be the first time in living memory three generations of a presidential family have moved to the capital.

Robinson, 71, was the chief caregiver for Malia and Sasha while their parents—who have never employed a full-time nanny—were out on the campaign trail. Michelle Obama says she begged her mom to make the move south. "The girls are going to need her, as part of their sense of stability," she told Newsweek. "And what is true for my mom is that she does anything for us and her grandkids."

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Michelle Obama stands beside her mother Marian Robinson at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Marian Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama, is introduced as her daughter speaks at Women for Obama luncheon last summer in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

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It's a very wise decision. It will provide continuity and intimacy to these two girls who are being uprooted. It will be good not only for the children, but for the
new first lady. - Carl Sferrazza Anthony, historian of the National First Ladies' Library in Ohio

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COMMENTS

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Showing 2 of 2 comments

Shannonals

Nov 13, 2008 2:35 AM CST

Guess it goes to show how young the reporter is, and that enough tech research wasn't conducted prior to the submission of the story

Guest

Nov 12, 2008 1:03 AM CST

FDR's grandson lived in the White House with him for 12 years. See: http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-11-12/dear-malia-and-sasha/ So when you write, "but it will be the first time in living memory..." you are referring to after 1945. But some of your readers might be a bit older then that.

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First Mom-In-Law Moving to DC