Michelle Obama Covers Vogue, Talks Parenting Despite Politics

By: Amanda Anderson-Niles

It’s official, the recent reports that suggested Michelle Obama would be landing another cover of Vogue Magazine were true. The First Lady got fabulous and covers the April issue of the legendary fashion publication, and in the issue, her marriage to the 44th President and her parenting style are two subjects that the magazine divulges. In the interview, Michelle Obama reveals how she and the president are able to provide their two daughters Sasha and Malia with as normal of a life as possible, while their close friend and advisor to the President Valarie Jarrett reminds us just why the Obamas have the kind of marriage to admire.

On parenting and not letting politics get in the way of having a normal family life, Michelle Obama says:

“The Secret Service has to change the way they do things; they have to become more flexible. And they do. Because they want to make sure that these girls are happy and that they have a normal life. . . . There’s a lot of energy that goes into working with staff, working with agents, working with friends’ parents to figure out how do we, you know, let these kids go to the party and have a sleepover and walk through the city on their own, go to the game. Any parent knows that these are the times when you’re just a scheduler and chauffeur for your kids. And that doesn’t change for us. Ninety percent of our conversation is about these girls: What are they doing? And who’s got what practice? And what birthday party is coming up? And did we get a gift for this person? You know, I mean, it is endless and it gets to be pretty exhausting, and if you take your eye off the ball, that’s when their lives become inelastic,” she says emphatically. “So it requires us to be there and be present so that we can respond and have the system respond to their needs. . . . And he’s doing it while still dealing with Syria and health care. He’s as up on every friend, every party, every relationship. . . . And if you’re out at dinner every night, you miss those moments where you can check in and just figure them out when they’re ready to share with you.”

 

It’s no doubt that the Obamas have a marriage that many admire and wish they too could one day. Valerie Jarrett (the Senior Advisor to the president) also explains why she feels the Obamas have an admirable marriage:

“They had a very good marriage going in, but it strengthened it because, well, it’s tested it. He has had some really, really tough moments in the White House, and the fact that his partner in this journey has been so steadfastly in his corner and never wavered, it teaches you every day to appreciate what you have. When you’ve had a really tough day and had to make the kinds of literally life-and-death decisions that he’s had to make in the Oval Office, to come home and know you’re safe and that your children are being well taken care of and you feel totally nurtured. . . . We joke about this: He goes home for dinner and no one’s interested in his day. They want to talk about their day. And that is such a relief. And she manages that for him.”

 

Here’s a peek at the cover and a few photos from the spread: