Obamas for Mamas

There have been a few items in the NYTimes recently about the Obamas as parents: one examines President Obama's role as First Father as it parallels his role as our governing "parent"; the second provides some information on the Obamas as parents. As I commented on the article (I know, I commented--I almost never do, not sure why, or why not. Will think on that soon), I think these articles indicate (mercy, how self-referential and narcissistic is it to quote myself??)

that many American parents are hungry for a real parenting role model. With the
entire parental-advice industry of television, books, magazines, and websites,
it’s refreshing to see actual, real parents who seem to be trying hard and seem
to be doing a good job (acknowledging of course all their advantages but also
the real challenges of raising children in the White House fish bowl). I for one
will be eagerly watching and reading what becomes known of the Obamas’ parenting
(though I certainly respect their decisions to keep that at a minimum). Just as
I am inspired by him politically, I would be inspired by them parentally.

And so I read with interest that the kids make their own beds, clean their own rooms, set their own alarms, get up on their own, watch only some tv, eat healthy oragnic food (at home, though another article I read somewhere said they prefer cheese to their dad's healthy choices), and go to bed at 8 pm. Hey, if I manage that much when the kids are Malia and Sasha's ages, I figure I'll be doing pretty well. Does that make me Commander-in-Chief at home? I wouldn't want his day job . . . .