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Jan

10

Who wears the pants in the Obama household


Is there really any doubt about who is at the core of leadership for the Obama family?

From The Caucus:

…During the presidential campaign, [Michelle Obama's mother, Mrs. Marian] Robinson was a family mainstay, caring for the Obama girls, Sasha and Malia, while their parents were on the road.

She took them to school, to piano lesson and dance lessons, cooked their meals, ran their baths and got them to bed on time. She was a critical part of the family’s effort to keep the girls’ lives as normal as possible in the midst of extraordinary times.

…

“I’ve never lived outside of Chicago, so I don’t know,’’ said Mrs. Robinson, hesitating a bit as she considered last year whether she was willing to move into the White House. “In the end, in the end, I’ll do whatever. I might fuss a little, but I’ll be there.” [emphasis added]

I don’t trust that enough people understand just how vital Michelle Obama’s mother’s involvement has been to her daughter’s success, her son-in-law’s success and, from what it looks like, her granddaughters’ health and development. Her contribution is absolutely immeasurable, irreplaceable and, individual achievements aside, the center of what makes the incoming First Family worthy of respect.

God bless that woman.

[The Caucus item is about how it is now official that Mrs. Robinson will be moving into the White House.]

By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:41 am January 10th, 2009 in Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Parenting, Politics, Social Issues, Women, Youth, leadership 

Comments

2 Responses to “Who wears the pants in the Obama household”

  1. 1 redhorse on January 10th, 2009 10:36 am

    I absolutely agree. She’s the glue of the family and her contribution has been largely undersold.

    It seems to me that even when extended families don’t live in the same home (so I guess not the “true” definition) but within close proximity, the grandmothers are the glue.

    That was at least true in my case; my grandma was a marvelous provider, coach, referee, motivator, listener, jack of all needs. It probably helped that she had only four grandkids to round up, but what she gave us was a deep, practical knowledge and perspective.

    So I’d quibble a bit: rather than God bless Mrs. Robinson, God bless grandmothers, period.

  2. 2 dean on January 12th, 2009 12:23 pm

    It says alot that even an intact family has grandma helping raise the children.

    I see many grands parenting in single parent or even no parent households, but this will be new for Washington, where position and privilege usually leads to maids and nannies, not Mamaw’s and Nana’s.

    Not sure I would want my mother-in-law that close, but that’s just me….

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