Michelle Obama is facing criticism after saying she does not miss the years when her daughters lived at home, telling Jon Stewart that she now enjoys having complete control over her schedule while emphasizing that she remains extremely close with her children.
The comments came during Wednesday’s episode of Obama’s “IMO” podcast, where Stewart discussed how the daily responsibilities of raising children had provided structure and meaning in his life. When he asked Obama whether she missed that stage of parenting, her answer was brief.
“I’m good,” Obama said.
The remarks quickly drew criticism, including from California Republican Party Delegate Elizabeth Barcohana, a mother who told Fox News Digital that Obama’s comments appeared to reflect resentment toward motherhood at a time when the subject has become part of a broader national discussion.
Barcohana said she interpreted Obama’s comments as suggesting that she was relieved the years of actively raising daughters Malia and Sasha were behind her.
“There is a difference between a mother expressing exhaustion from the demands of motherhood — which is real and relatable — and expressing resentment,” Barcohana said. “Resentment is what appears to come through in Michelle Obama’s remarks, and it is especially painful to hear amid the national conversation surrounding the Lindsay Clancy trial.
“She seems happy that her daughters’ childhoods are over. That is not a relatable feeling for most mothers at all.”
Obama, however, made clear during the discussion that her feelings about no longer having her daughters at home should not be confused with a lack of affection for them. She said she loves Malia and Sasha and noted that she was scheduled to have dinner with them that same evening.
“I don’t miss them. I don’t. I love them. I’m going to see them tonight for dinner. I love them,” she said. “But Barack cried when they went to college. I was like, ‘Bye, little — goodbye.’ Now I … now Friday nights aren’t wrecked with terror and fear about, ‘Where are you? Where are you?’”
Obama contrasted her reaction to becoming an empty nester with that of her husband, Barack Obama, saying he cried when their daughters left for college while she welcomed the transition.
Conservative commentator Matt Walsh was among those who attacked Obama over the remarks, accusing her of having been eager for her daughters to leave home despite the advantages and assistance he said the family’s wealth provided.
“And yet she still couldn’t wait for the kids to leave because the minor demands they made on her time and energy were still too much for her. Just a total raging narcissist,” Walsh said.
Political commentator Link Lauren similarly criticized Obama, arguing that the remarks fit a broader pattern in which she publicly complains about her family and privileged lifestyle.
“This podcast is just her sitting around her mansion in Martha’s Vineyard complaining about how hard her life of luxury is and how much she despises her husband and children,” Lauren said.
Obama offered additional context for her reaction to becoming an empty nester, saying she enjoys the independence that comes with her daughters being adults and believes she already devoted substantial time to raising them and developing close relationships with them.
“I love my schedule. I have a great schedule, and it’s all mine,” Obama said. “I mean, I’ve had so much quality time with my children. So much. Yeah, yeah. I know them inside and out.”
Obama has also spoken positively about Barack Obama’s role as a father. Last year, she said both of them consciously made their daughters a priority during the eight years that the family lived in the White House.
“It was important for both of us, for me and Barack, to carve out that time in those eight years when our girls were in their formative years, you know,” Obama said.
{Matzav.com}
