| The Obama Girls By: Megan Gearheart Imagine waking up in a mansion everyday. Ann Hathaway wants to babysit you and Nick Jonas thinks you’re “very sweet.” For your birthday you received a private tour of the Harry Potter set and a party at Camp David. You attend luaus on the front lawn, bowl in your private bowling alley, and a professional chef makes dinner every night. This is not a dream. This is the norm for “First Kids,” Malia and Sasha Obama. Until January 20, 2009, the daughters of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama had only ever lived in Chicago, Illinois. They went to school in Chicago, went to church in Chicago, and their playmates lived in Chicago. Everything changed when 53% of the country selected their father as President of the United States. The younger of the two Obama girls, Sasha—short for Natasha—likes to spend time playing basketball, performing gymnastics, and taking tap lessons. Both she and her sister play the piano and play tennis. Sasha, born on June 10, 2001, spent her eighth birthday this year by attending The Lion King at a London theater and touring the Harry Potter movie set, which People Magazine reported on. Over the summer, the Obama sisters were given the opportunity to travel internationally, an experience which delighted Sasha. When arriving in Moscow, President Obama reported to CNN that his youngest burst excitedly into her parents' room at 4AM to talk about the trip, "Sasha this morning just wandered into our bed and plopped down and started chatting!" Sasha enjoys the distinction of being the youngest White House resident since infant John Kennedy Jr., but after spending more than half her live in the limelight—having first been photographed by the press at the age of two—she seems ready to take it all on. Malia Ann, President Obama’s older daughter, was born on the South side of Chicago eleven years ago on July 4, 1998. A fan of all things dance, drama, and soccer, Malia also enjoys teasing her parents just like any normal pre-teen. During an interview with Access Hollywood in 2008, Malia discussed her father’s fashion sense with Maria Menounos. First Lady Michelle Obama poked fun at her husband, who was then just a candidate, too. “These pants, he's had for probably about 10 years” she said. Malia added, “And that belt!" It wasn’t long before even the interviewer joined in to laugh. When asked about the possibility of moving to the White House, Malia replied, "I enjoy decorating so I get this whole new room to do whatever I want." Three months later that prospect became a reality. While the lives of Presidential children are extraordinary, the Obama family strives to ensure a sense of normalcy for their daughters. Betty Boyd Caroli, author of Inside the White House emphasizes presidential families’ desire for privacy. "Several First Ladies have talked about how they tried to make life as normal as possible for their children while living in the White House--by making it possible for their children to engage in usual activities and sports, and inviting their friends to the White House" Boyd Caroli says. Echoing the sentiments of First Ladies before her, Michelle Obama describes her most important role as mom. In an October 2008 issue of US. News and World Report she wrote, “Even as First Lady, my No. 1 job would still be Mom. If we move to Washington, my first priority will be to ensure they [Sasha and Malia] stay grounded and healthy, with normal childhoods.” Like many children with working parents, Sasha and Malia’s grandmother, Marion Robinson, has moved in with the family to help out and pick up the slack when needed. The girls are even assigned chores. As compensation for making their beds, setting the table, and setting their own alarm clocks, the girls receive an allowance of $1 each week. It is not easy to live under the constant scrutiny of The White House. Past resident Julie Nixon Eisenhower, daughter of President Nixon told Larry King in a 2003 interview that the White House is “…an incredible place of history, but it's not an easy place to live.” After sitting with Access Hollywood, the President expressed regret over setting a precedent for interviews with his daughters. The 24/7 media frenzy complicates the already complicated task of making it through adolescence in one piece. Since moving to DC, the White House staff has worked hard to shelter the girls from the national spotlight. In a time when great pressure is placed on celebrities and public figures, there many, including Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, who are looking out for the Obamas, “Without getting into the specifics, we've been very clear I think from even before the administration started that their two girls would have a very private life, and we want to protect that private life and their privacy.” |
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