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No Escaping Chores for First Daughters

Obamas seek as normal a life as possible for kids

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 22, 2009 8:33 AM CST
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(Newser) – For the Obamas, raising their daughters without “an attitude” is a priority—but it’s a tough job when the family has its own movie theater, full-time chefs, and trail of paparazzi, the New York Times notes. The key is a firm hand giving the kids as normal a life as possible, according to Michelle Obama. “Don’t make their beds. They have to learn these things,” she has ordered the staff.

Bedtime remains at 8pm. Malia and Sasha clean their own rooms, and they’ll have to scoop the poop of their forthcoming dog. Michelle was raised in a highly structured home, and the president’s experience growing up without a father has helped drive him to be more involved in his daughters’ lives. So far, things are working, said a friend to the first family. “They don’t act entitled. They just seem like kids.”

President Barack Obama walks with Malia, first lady Michelle Obama, and Sasha upon their arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland last week.
President Barack Obama walks with Malia, first lady Michelle Obama, and Sasha upon their arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland last week.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Then President-elect Obama and his wife Michelle prepare their daughters for their first day at their new Washington school January.
Then President-elect Obama and his wife Michelle prepare their daughters for their first day at their new Washington school January.   (AP Photo/Callie Shell)
Sasha, foreground, and Malia listen to a performance at the White House last week.
Sasha, foreground, and Malia listen to a performance at the White House last week.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
Guest
Feb 23, 2009 3:10 AM CST
Everytime I see those little girls in a media pic I cringe. It's sad that we allow the perpetual media attention to innocent people that surely does them no good as a growing individual. It's kind of sick when you really think about it.
riffran
Feb 23, 2009 1:53 AM CST
Give them time...lol....fame and power is a highly influential "drug"....simply because they are who they are, it does not matter if they do something "naughty" that only a few million or so other kids have done as well, it will be spun one way or the other, and made to be "news"
Shannonals
Feb 23, 2009 12:06 AM CST
You have to admit, although the Presidents daughters have been receiving alot of media attention of late, (aren't they the youngest children of a President in office in the past 70 years?), it's far better than seeing the Bush daughters ruuning wild when Bush Jr., first took office

A president's kids can get what they want, fast
Washington Times

Sasha hits the b-ball court with dad in tow
New York Times

 
Michelle Obama • White House • chores • first daughter • Malia Obama • Sasha Obama • President Obama

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