Michelle Obama says she almost gave up on parenting after hitting breaking point while Barack was away
Michelle Obama has revealed she hasn’t always been the most patient parent, recalling a moment she lost her temper and told her children that she was ‘done with parenting.’
The former First Lady, 61, shared the story on the latest episode of her IMO podcast, which she co-hosts with her brother, Craig Robinson.
The mother of Malia, 27, and Sasha, 24, was talking to guest Henry Winkler about parenting when she gave some insight into what it was like raising her daughters, which she admitted was especially difficult when her husband, Barack Obama, was away.
‘I tell this story all the time about Malia and Sasha when they were probably seven and three,’ she began.
‘Barack was traveling,’ the author continued. ‘So I was at home trying to get the girls to bed.’
Michelle explained that although they were ‘great kids,’ there was one night in particular when they were being ‘rambunctious.’
‘I was like, “Get ready, it’s time to take your baths,” and no one was listening,’ she complained.
Admitting she was in her ‘frustrated mommy time,’ she recalled declaring, ‘Well, that’s it. You know, no one listens to me. I’m done parenting.’
Michelle Obama revealed she hasn’t always been the most patient parent, recalling a moment she lost her temper and told her children that she was ‘done with parenting’
The former First Lady said it gave her some interesting insight into how different her daughters are. She’s seen with her husband and daughters
‘[I said], “You guys have this all figured out and you can do this on your own, so have at it.”‘
The former First Lady said it gave her some interesting insight into how different her daughters are.
Michelle shared: ‘My oldest daughter, Malia said, “Oh no, mommy, you know, I can’t do it without you,” and I’m thinking, “Yeah, this is what I wanted. I wanted her to realize that she needed me.”‘
‘Sasha, my three-year-old, was sitting on the stairs watching all this,’ she continued. ‘She took her blankie, and she turned around and went back upstairs to watch TV, as if to say, like, “Thank God.”‘
Michelle added that to this day, her daughters have similar characteristics.
‘My younger daughter, she wants to learn her way. We tell her, but she’s gotta learn on her own,’ she acknowledged.
Michelle has often shared insight into parenting her girls, particularly in the White House after Barack, 64, was elected president.
Earlier in the year, the podcast host hinted that she struggled parenting with her husband while he was President, insinuating his commitment to politics impacted his role as a father.
Michelle gave some insight into what it was like raising her daughters on her podcast, which she admitted was especially difficult when her husband, Barack Obama, was away
Michelle has often spoken about how she and Barack approached parenting their daughters, Malia, now 27, and Sasha, now 24 (seen in 2013)
She made a snide comment regarding the former president during an episode of her IMO podcast, claiming that politics will ‘suck’ the life out of parenting.
The author was talking to guests NBA legends Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes when the latter mentioned potentially dabbling in politics – but expressed his concern about how it would affect his parenting.
‘Do you think you might get into politics?’ the former first lady asked.
‘I could, I love politics,’ Matt, 45, replied, adding he’s particularly interested in helping to create policies that help low-income areas and initially wanted to be the mayor of his hometown by 50.
However, the former Golden State Warriors player acknowledged the commitment it takes.
‘I have a six-year-old and 11-month-old [and] 16-year-old twins,’ he continued. ‘So daddy duty is first and foremost.’
‘Absolutely,’ Michelle quickly responded. ‘Politics will suck the life out of that,’ in what appeared to be a pointed barb at her spouse.
