THE OBAMAS KEEP THE GIRLS ON A STRICT REGIMEN
President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama have strict policies when it comes to technology. Not only do the parents of two not allow their daughters to watch television during the week, but they also prohibit leisure Internet use.
In a recent interview with The Stir , Michelle said, “We have rules about [technology]. The girls have limited television and screen time — none during the week unless it’s school-related, because now kids are doing these — they video chat study groups. And when they’re doing that, I always go in their room to make sure they’re actually talking about school … Kids, instead of how we used to call on the phone and talk about homework, they get on the computer now and chat. So I don’t want to interfere with that, so I monitor with the teacher to make sure that the kids who were studying together are actually — that then they’re studying in a way that’s helpful.”
Michelle tried to be generous with the television before completely barring Sasha and Malia from weekday views but that plan failed miserably when the girls learned how to cheat the system. “I tried this thing where they can earn an hour during the week if they got everything done.” Michelle says, “But what was happening is that they’d claim their hour on Monday. And I’m like, why are you watching TV on Monday? Well, I was like, you’re supposed to earn that hour. So I just said forget that. So the sort of incentive model didn’t work. And then they get two hours Friday, three Saturday, two Sunday.”
Although Sasha and Malia watch television on the weekends, such viewings are privileges and not rights. As the First Lady explains, “If something hasn’t gotten done, all that is gone. I mean, as I tell my kids, the computer and the TV mean nothing to us. So that’s the first thing that goes, is you just don’t need any of that. So this — they know that this is a privilege that we don’t value deeply. So it will be taken away very quickly and happily. Give us an excuse to take it away. And it will be taken away. At the drop of a hat — you look funny, you’re unhappy, you’re whining a little bit too much. That’s the first thing that goes. Right, don’t roll your eyes.”
26 Comments to “THE OBAMAS KEEP THE GIRLS ON A STRICT REGIMEN”
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When I was a kid there wasn’t cable in my household. Me and my sister would watch captain kangaroo and young world on Saturday, after that we would hit the door running. We would go find a new adventure until my mom and dad would call us in for the evening. I see what they are saying and I wished I would be more strict with the internet and tv as far as my son goes, after all I didn’t have it myself.
The author who wrote this grammatical terrible article needs to look for another job! What ever happened to proofreading? SMDH at black celebrity kids website!
Whatever happened to people who have sense enough to move on if they don’t like something?! @Chris…nobody who LOVES BCK gives a care what you think about the articles! And…. I purposely used grammatical errors to emphasize my point to you!
Don’t talk negatively about BCK! I loves me some BCK, thank you very much!
Go make your own blog, if you don’t like it!
And…..furthermore, I LOVES me some Obamas. They is the GREATEST. They look so good.
Each family has to decide for themselves what is best for their family. For the Obamas they have decided to monitor and scale back on television watching. They may decide as the children get older that they can watch more television
They’re extremely strict! My mom let me do whatever I wanted to do as long as it was age appropriate! Still I love my first family
I see why she limits their tv watching and internet use. Imagine going online and seeing someone talk horribly about your mother or father regularly. Imagine turning on the tv and seeing someone tell inappropriate jokes about your father daily!
I love my first family! They are doing it right all around the board.
Wow! Some of these commentators are acting as if there is absolutely nothing fun for a child to do than watch the Disney channel all day. Both Barrack and Michele are super successful, but they are also cool, well rounded people; I’m sure neither of their mothers did let them watch tv all day.
When I was growing up, I only got to watch a couple hours of tv in the evening. No tv during the day. I read. I played outside. I used my immagination. Today, I have enjoyed nothing but leadership roles in my career in addition to earning a MBA and MA. TV does nothing but shorten a kids attention span, teach them bad habits, teach them to war against their parents, cause them to become inactive and fat, etc… Of course, its not all bad. But, you have to teach kids to know the difference between whats good to watch and whats just destructive.
When I was growing up I was allowed to watch as much tv as I wanted as long as homework and chores were completed. I also played outside, played sports, and used my imagination. I have a masters and am currently working on my doctorate degree. I’m also a supervisor, and a small business owner. My point is 1) you aren’t special, 2) tv doesn’t determine a child’s future, and 3) with or without tv, it just all comes down to parenting.
Rotflmbo at “1) you’re not special”. It came off as superior sounding to me as well!
I agree totally with Mrs. O and you can see in her girls the benefits of not being tv zombies. You can tell they are well mannered, well read, well spoken and focused. I wouldnt allow mids to watch the garbage on tv or listen to the garbage of radio either. Those are not necessities. They are just treats. To be competitive, black kids needs to spend more time exploring and learning skills that will put them in the race on a global level in more than just rap, ball games, baby making, etc… I strongly believe Malia and Sasha will be strong forces in the future and not just because of who their parents are but because of what they have learned from their discipline.
only the news is allowed during the week. I didnt watch TV during the week either when I was growing up.
they don’t play! lol! but Michelle has stated before that the girls like to watch Modern Family with their dad. as far as i know that’s a weekday show, so maybe there’s some allowances here and there. it may appear that their policies are strict regarding the girls, but they certainly don’t seem to be deprived or lacking for anything.
Gee wiz, very strict! I think it’s important to teach kids how to prioritize and take care of their responsibilities, but also to let them have fun and just be kids. Not everything has to be so structured and business all of the time. Tv isn’t the devil, just monitor what they watch. But that’s just my 2 cents.
I’m so lost in this article, but I do get the point.
@joyia, I understand what you mean about the tv and the web. My nefew would just ignore my sister as she would call him. It’s almost like it hypnotized him. It wasn’t like this in the 90′s when we were growing up. Just playing outside with friends was enough. One of the only tv shows we were hooked on was T.G.I.F on Friday nights.
Only 3 or 2 hours of TV on the weekend, that’s too strict. They should be able to watch at least Disney and Nickelodeon all day on the weekend. Those girls are going to rebel one day.
Well they are better parents then Jada and Will, those two need to take notes.
I don’t think they will rebel. They seem like good girls who will be as influencial as their parents one day. I do agree that they do seem a little strict about the technology. I wouldn’t be able to make it without my computer, cell phone, or Television throughout the week.
I don’t think so. There is plenty to do. They can go to their friend’s house, play outside (in the beautiful weather), climb trees in the garden it’s the White House (18 acres of land). There’s plenty of space and I’m sure they can use their imagination. 3 hours on Saturday is suffucient.
I hope not, but we’ll see once college years come around!
She is very strict. My mother let us watch tv anytime for as long as we wanted as long as we brought home goods grades (which we did)and did our chores but she never allowed us to go to sleepovers or for our friends to sleepover our house. My mother was very leaniant but she expected great things from us. Sometimes kids with really strict parents turn out to be the worst because once they get old enough they run wild.
That’s true, I agree with you completely!!!
These girls literally grew up before our eyes. What a beautiful family. Good job of instilling such good values in them that they will use wherever life takes them.
I think more parents should be more strict when it comes to those things. It helps so much with your childs development. My son has limited internet, and I refuse to get cable. When I had these things my child was too much involved in internet and tv. Without these things he is doing well in school. And is doing different and productive things. I do this because I am a single parent, and my time is very limited especially working to jobs. I hope more parents would see the internet, and tv. have taking over.