President Obama on Family: 'I've Got 3 Opinionated, Strong Women'
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle gave an interview in which they spoke about family and their growing daughters, Sasha, 12, and Malia, 15.
"I've got three opinionated, strong, tall women. If they get together, they can have fun about my ears or being too loud, or how I dress," President Obama told People.
He is still learning how to deal with the pressures of being completely surrounded by women in his family. As his daughters grow older and want more independence, it's a changing world and one that he and Michelle are navigating together. Of course, there is a great deal of stress for the girls as well, since they have grown up in the White House and are trying to establish their own independent lives.
"Malia had friends over, and there was a question about whether she was going to even introduce them [to her dad], because sometimes he gets a little formal, asking them about school and interests," Michelle joked. "She says, 'I don't know if my friends can handle that.'"
"But she said that you actually did quite well," Michelle told Barack.
The girls are also helping their parents "grow up" by helping Michelle pick out her clothes and teaching Barack how to use Instagram and Vine. Of course, Barack is familiar with the idea of a "selfie" and was harshly critiqued for taking a photo with the Danish Prime Minister at Nelson Mandela's memorial service.
The Obamas are preparing for their Christmas trip to Hawaii, which will include plenty of golfing and sports for the family. They are scheduled to leave on Friday and will not return until after New Year's Day. In keeping with tradition, the family will spend time on Kailuana Place, which has the residents fairly excited.
"It's exciting," Lanette Hayashi, a resident told USA Today. "It's really an honor to have him here, and when he's around – actually the place is super safe because we have all this security around."