Barack Obama on Parenthood, Discipline + Possibly Having Teen Daughters in The White House

In the November issue of Parents, Michelle and Barack Obama discuss parenthood, values and discipline. Here's a sneak peek at the exclusive interview which hits newsstands later this week.

Barack Obama on the Secret Service protection for his daughters: “Originally they called the agents the “secret people” and they really like them. Now whether they’ll like them when they’re teenagers, I don’t know. But I’ll like it! That’s one of the greatest incentives to win: knowing I’ll have Secret Service protection during my daughters’ teenage years! Any guy who comes by will know that there’s a Marine at the gate who will have thoroughly checked them out.”

Michelle Obama on whether the girls will make their beds in the White House: “Absolutely. And they’ll have to clean up their space. And they’ll still have a bedtime. We don’t want their lives to be completely overshadowed; keeping their routines will be my biggest priority.”

Barack Obama on how his daughters’ experiences as African American children differ from his own: “Their experience is very different from what ours was growing up. Look, it’s a sign of progress that they’re watching shows like That’s So Raven. Our girls know that they can be beautiful and special in a way that was harder for an earlier generation. But they are mindful of that history, and they are aware of discrimination. We talk about it in the same context of respecting people and being compassionate, having empathy.”

Barack Obama what he does for fun with the girls: “Malia and I read the whole Harry Potter series together out loud. We finished all seven books. It was fun, and it was great bonding. And they love Hannah Montana. I know that. And they like the Jonas Brothers. I’m a little worried about that; they’re getting into the whole tweener thing in ways that kind of disturb me.”

October 13, 2008