feedback for "Michelle Obama"

1. Well, she's clearly "on message" but it's nice to hear that her kids lives are relatively unaffected, and that she loves french fries.

   posted by : go_jobama on 8/25/2008 at 11:31 AM Flag For Abuse

2. I understand that this was meant to be a puff piece, and if you had asked any hardball questions, Ms. Obama might have declined the interview. But I think I would have had a few more questions, such as: How exactly did that Rezko land deal go down (the one that provided her with that gorgeous house and large yard for a sweet price)? If she is so intent on protecting her children, why did she subject them to listening to Jeremy Wright's vitriolic rants at church? And why was she never proud of her country *until* her husband ran for office? I have been proud of my country all my life.

   posted by : Anon on 8/25/2008 at 3:04 PM Flag For Abuse

3. Anon -- we know the answers to these question: Rezko bought an adjascent piece of land which some people allege may have been beneficial to the Obamas, but there is no proof of this. Obama says Rezko never asked him for anything, and disassociated himself from him as soon as there was any evidence that he had done anything unethical in the past. Compared to almost every other politician on the planet (Bush, Cheney, Ralph Reed-Abamovich, and so on) this guy is squeaky clean. Why has she not always been proud of her country? Because she has a brain. Brainless patriotism does not do this country any favors.

   posted by : yes_we_can on 8/25/2008 at 3:20 PM Flag For Abuse

4. I support Obama, but her kids' lives can't possibly unaffected. Presidential campaign aside, any households where both parents have such high level careers are not situations in which kids are "unaffected". A better question to be asked is what the kids sacrifice so she could have her career. (Prior to all the presidential stuff.)

   posted by : justsayin on 8/25/2008 at 3:24 PM Flag For Abuse

5. yawn....her assistant could have answered these questions. I agree with go_jobama, very "on message" it would have been nice to see more "french fry" answers honestly. Instead of a robotic retort. But maybe this is how she protects her children, by staying on message and not allowing reporters to peer into their personal lives.

   posted by : whats_your_fav_color on 8/25/2008 at 4:23 PM Flag For Abuse

6. I just have to say, I love Michelle Obama. I love that she is a strong, smart, powerful woman and I love that she's not hiding behind her husband during his campaign. Having to do all of that and maintain a semi-stable atmosphere for her kids has got to be tough job and she seems to be handling it beautifully. I think she is a fabulous role model.
   
   As for justsayin's comments, every parent has to make tough choices when it comes to their kids. What works for one family may or may not work for another. I hate that the national debate over this issue is framed as being either choosing work or choosing kids. Why can't we choose both? Personally, I work and I send my kid to daycare and I think it's a good thing. I gain the satisfaction from being able to help support my family financially and my kid gets to spend the day playing with his friends in a supportive and caring environment. And yes, it breaks my heart to leave him every morning, but I know that in the end this is what works best for my family. That should really be all that matters.

   posted by : K80 on 8/25/2008 at 4:31 PM Flag For Abuse

7. Here here K80!
   
   Back on the family farm in days yore, women worked. For most of human history, both parents have had to work to provide food and shelter.
   
   The idea that kids are supposed to spend 16 hours per day playing with blocks with their moms is a relatively new one, and I am not convinced its the best case scenario.
   
   Michelle sounds like she puts a very high priority on her kids, and having read Barack's books, it seems pretty clear that he's a softy with the kids.

   posted by : proudpapa on 8/25/2008 at 5:58 PM Flag For Abuse

8. As for daycare...it really depends on how old the "kid" is...personally, I don't believe babies under 2 belong in daycare, certainly not under one. Mothering a baby/toddler is more than just playing blocks all day. I don't even actively play with my 14 month old all day long, but she knows I am there for her and she has the freedom to do what she wants basically when she wants in the comfort of her own home. Kids under 2, and even up to 3, don't really play together. They parallel play, side-by-side at best. I understand some people need to put their kids in daycare to make ends meet, but it's not the best choice for babies if you don't have to.

   posted by : justsayin on 8/25/2008 at 7:52 PM Flag For Abuse

9. Hmmm... wonder if we will get a similarly positive interview with Mrs. McCain? I won't get my hopes up. Seems all we hear about is how great the Obamas are, but it would be nice to hear the other side just once in a while so I feel I am getting more of the big picture before voting time.

   posted by : FloridaIndependent on 8/25/2008 at 7:57 PM Flag For Abuse

10. Mrs McCain's children are grown...not so relevant to this web site...and I'd hazard a guess that she was even less hands on with her kids.

    posted by : changeforthehomeless on 8/25/2008 at 9:08 PM Flag For Abuse

11. Wow, justsayin' -- talk about Mommy wars! Sheesh. Are you really that closed-minded to think that being a stay-at-home mom is the best and the *only* way for everyone? Every child and every family is different. So saying that daycare is "not the best choice if you don't have to" is just your opinion -- not, by any means, a fact.
    
    My son was in daycare literally right down the hall from my work from 3 months to 17 months old -- I saw him every day for lunch and popped in to breastfeed whenever he needed to. And he had a bunch of best buddies before he was even 1 (even if they did nothing more than parallel play, he *definitely* enjoyed being around them and felt loved by his teachers). Granted, I was still *devastated* to not be able to be with him every second of the day -- but I had no choice financially and had to bide my time until I could figure out how to make the work-life balance work better for our life! But looking back, I think daycare really helped him learn how to interact with -- and just be around -- other kids and adults early on. Now, at 5, he's a very sociable, outgoing boy who's always eager to find new friends and explore wherever we go.
    
    But I chose to start working from home part time (during naps/at night when they slept) once I got pregnant with my daughter, who's never been in a day care/school setting until preschool (or so much as had a non-relative sitter). Now, at 3, she's clingy 24/7 and can barely stand to be away from my side for a second without being petrified. And I can honestly say that I feel like I had *far* more quality time with my son when he was in daycare than I've ever had with my kids here at home (where the day has come and gone and I've been so busy dressing/bathing kids, serving meals/snacks, doing hair, finding lost toys/cups/books/shoes, straightening up, refereeing fights, wiping tushies, throwing in laundry, yada, yada, yada that there's little time for real *quality* time).
    
    There are pros and cons to every situation -- both day care and staying home. We all do what seems like the best arrangement for not just ourselves, but our children, who each have their own individual needs and personalities. And even if the Obamas' kids aren't entirely "unaffected" (by their high-profile dad's political career *or* their mom's very admirable work history either) no doubt they love and respect both of their amazing, role-model-worthy parents.

    posted by : Mombo5 on 8/25/2008 at 9:46 PM Flag For Abuse

12. you guys are right about everyone making their own choices and what's best for their families...I get a little bristly about it b/c I just don't think little ones belong in a daycare setting...but, you're right...that's only my opinion...and it could be a lot worse than that if they are with parents who don't want to be with them all day long

    posted by : justsayin on 8/26/2008 at 5:54 AM Flag For Abuse

13. Oh, Justsayin, couldn't resist couching that little dig into your last breath, could you? Ah well. I think everyone who has every met a child has a theory on whether daycare is good or bad and whether stay-at-home parents are better or worse... or whatever. So, yes, good for you to admit it's just your opinion-- one little opinion that has no bearing on any of the rest of our kids. So might as well try to be a little nicer about it - good lesson for the kids, you know? Personally I think the greatest disservice to kids comes when a parent makes snide comments about how the neighbor kids are raised, thus implanting ugly little gossip bits into innocent brains at an early age.

    posted by : BBBGMOM on 8/26/2008 at 8:59 AM Flag For Abuse

14. It's sort of silly to suggest that the Obama kids should be unaffected. What kid isn't affected by his/her parent's work, no matter what it is?
    
    It's also sort of silly to imply that being affected by a parent's career is always a bad thing. I'll bet those girls are having some good experiences too, and they may be influenced by this momentous year to do something momentous (or not) in their own lives.

    posted by : hand on 8/26/2008 at 10:20 AM Flag For Abuse

15. sorry...wasn't meant 2 b a dig...everyone should just do what is best for them...

    posted by : gp4avie on 8/26/2008 at 2:05 PM Flag For Abuse

16. Just wanted to add that 'daycare' does not have (to have) a universal description. My child has been at a small place that refuses to be called 'daycare' in general...they prefer childcare, as they're caring for my child (and I happily comply). She's just started her second year there, and absolutely plays with her friends, is encouraged to handle situations with other kids with dignity, and I have learned so much from these amazing people that take care of her and help her grow. I believe it is my modern equivalent of 'a village' and I respect the women that care for her and help her as she grows up. I've worked hard to find this place, and sure do have to pay for it, but like the food that goes into my daughter's body, I want to be sure that her environment is one where she can continue to grow up to respect others and herself. I'm a teacher, so I don't have that much money, but I will gladly sacrifice other tangible things to be sure that my daughter is emotionally and physically in good hands while I work at a job that I love.
    
    aaah, so to Michelle Obama's press coverage, the main thing I hear her say when confronted with the question of her children 'being affected', is that she sees her mother as the perfect surrogate when she's away, and trusts that her children are being supported in her absence. Not everyone can afford 'the perfect childcare' but I find that our whole family feels great joy with these women in our life. Here here, hand--- while I love my parents, I certainly have learned a lot from my grandmother who took care of me every day after school growing up, my teachers, my friends...I can't be the only person in my daughter's life, though there are (achingly often) times when I wish I could be. As a mother I can't help but be moved whenever Michelle O speaks (moved to vote). Mombo5, thanks for the story.

    posted by : ameliorate on 8/26/2008 at 9:59 PM Flag For Abuse

17. Great speech monday night Michelle!

    posted by : chattydaddy on 8/27/2008 at 9:59 AM Flag For Abuse

18. http://www.votetheday.com/polls/us-presidential-elections-1/

    posted by : votetheday com on 8/31/2008 at 12:54 PM Flag For Abuse

19. I know this is meant to about Michelle Obama but I got caught up in the mommy wars debate. I love it, I never tire of reading about it or discussing it. It is sooo fascinating. I am glad that proudpapa made the comment about the role of mothers in history, and how it is a particularly recent trend for it to be considered the norm for women to spend 100% of their time childrearing and homemaking.
    
    I personally find that I am better all round - as a mom, a wife, a friend, a sister etc - when I don't spend all day with my child. Does that make me a bad mom? I don't think so. Having my child is the most amazing and challenging thing I have ever done. Finding childcare was very hard - but once I had found someone I trusted, it was such a relief. I echo ameliorate's point about it being the modern equivalent of the 'village'.
    
    I suppose I should say something about the article. I think Michelle Obama is an intelligent, strong woman who prioritizes her family. Who can ask for more than that?

    posted by : Napblogger on 9/2/2008 at 7:35 PM Flag For Abuse

20. Anita Tedaldi Doberman is a fraud.  She needs to send her kids to school and quit trying to be a supermom while neglecting them and rejecting adopted kids she thought she wanted.  Shame.  Vergogna. 
    
    - Un altra italiana
    

    posted by : Mariangela Albanese on 9/4/2009 at 2:38 PM Flag For Abuse