Doug Mills/The New York Times First Lady Michelle Obama took questions from children visiting the White House on “Take Your Child to Work Day.”First Lady Michelle Obama held a “Take Your Child to Work Day” at the White House today, where she was peppered with questions from children eager to hear about sleepovers in the Executive Mansion, the Obamas’ new dog and what Mrs. Obama likes least about her new life.
The young people — the sons and daughters of White House employees and local journalists — gathered in the East Room. And before she took their questions, Mrs. Obama urged them to work hard, respect their parents and help those in need.
“We want you to think about serving your communities, because you don’t have to be a White House employee to do it,’’ Mrs. Obama said. “You can do it now. You can do it first of all by listening to your parents. That’s a service in and of itself, just being a good kid.
“But you could volunteer at a homeless shelter, right? You could work for a soup kitchen. You could volunteer in a garden. You could help tutor another kid in your class who’s having trouble. You could walk your neighbor’s dog, mow the lawn.
“There’s so much that you can do right now,’’ she said. “And we want you all to start thinking now about what you can do to be good public servants, not when you grow up but right now.’’
Then came the questions.
“Well, what does your dog like to do?” one young man asked.
Mrs. Obama laughed. “Oh, he is a crazy dog,’’ she said. “He — you know, he loves to chew on people’s feet.’’
A girl piped up: “What’s your least favorite thing to do in the White House?”
Doug Mills/The New York Times Bo is the Obama family’s new pet.Mrs. Obama pondered. “I don’t think I can list one thing that I just don’t like to do,’’ she said. “Everything that I do here is really pretty worthwhile, even if it’s hard. Maybe it’s running on the treadmill. Why don’t we put that down — when I have to run. Sometimes I don’t like to do that.’’
And on to the sleepovers. “When your kids have friends over, and they stay a night, where do they stay?’’
“Sometimes they sleep in the girls’ rooms, or sometimes they sleep upstairs where there’s a TV,’’ Mrs. Obama said. “They like sleeping in front of the TV, probably like you all do when you have a sleepover.’’
After wrapping up the question-and-answer session, Mrs. Obama prepared for her next event of the day, a visit to the federal employees at the Office of Personnel Management.
From 1 to 25 of 26 Comments
No wonder Michelle Obama has such a high approval rating - she has a very appealing personality and is a woman of substance. All the best to her and her family during what I assume (and hope) will be an eight year reign in the White House!
— chPower of example goes beyond words and works.
— Bondi love that women…..
she represents the best of america.
— JP, milltown, nj“And we want you all to start thinking now about what you can do to be good public servants”
Coming from someone who was making the big Bucks (half a million bucks wasnt it?) from Sitting on Corporation Boards, Private For Profit Law Firms, and Associating with Behemoth Wal-Mart,
Michelle sure sounds like “I Only preach but dont practice”
— RealityMore importantly, what is Bo’s approval rating? In my house (me, my wife, and our two Portuguese Water Dogs) it is 100%!
— Danielshe is ok. She is a mother so it is not that hard to ’set good example’ especially when all the means to do it are available.
— AnnI love the whole Obama family. They are truly “real” people and set a wonderful example of family life in America. I do have a suggestion though, how about a First kitten? Maybe a long-haired tuxedo(black & white)to match Bo?
— Joan ciccaroneComment #4 is just plain mean-spirited. Anyone can be a good public servant; income is irrelevent. Michelle Obama has worked for non-profits for starters, and from what I hear from my (many) co-workers, she and her husband are motivating a lot of kids of all backgrounds. I feel sorry if that doesn’t count for some people.
— HBWhat I like best about the article is the accompanying picture - how thrilled “these” kids are, listening to the FLOTUS. Maybe except for sleepy Lawrence Summers, though;-).
— NicolaiBerlinI know some people live in an alternate “reality,” but Michille Obame worked for Legal Aid and did a lot of other public service, according to Harvard.
— Maryhttp://www.law.harvard.edu/news/michelle-obama-at-hls.html
If some consider her the best of America then we have some real problems in this country! I think the dog is ugly too.
— VinnyThe Obama’s are fabulous, Michelle has reached out to all Citizens, and that is the reality. She is entitled to sit anywhere she please, and have whom ever for friends. She has worked hard to become an Attorney.
As for #4-Reality, sounds like you may want to stop hating and do something with your own Reality. If your mad because she is an Attorney, you can be one also, or have rich friends, you can get your own.
It sad to read that people who boo woo about what another person has done or acquired in their life. Get it for yourself, if you want it that bad, or better yet seek help.
— WMESo “HB”…. you “hear” from co-workers, have you ever tried discovering facts for yourself? I doubt it.
— Jeff Ober4. I didn’t know Mrs Obama had been associated with a Wal-Mart supplier. This is the best thing I’ve ever heard about her. I keep complaining the Obamas had no business relationships.
— NCThis family says FAMILY VALUES in big capital letters. I think it is fascinating that the republicans find this family of faith, who respect each other, who believe in hard work, the importance of education and of giving back so offensive.
— jtrbugThey are the royal family of the U.S.A…..what a GREAT
— Pat Llewellynfamily they are! I’m sooo very proud of them! -Pat L.
It’s a shame that no mattter what the Obamas do, some people are going to criticize. After 8 years of hanging my head here and across the world whenever I travelled, I am so proud of this new president and his exceptional wife.
There are many people of means who never do any public service, give philathropically, or try to set a good example. (Hello. Wall Street Greed Machines! )I have always been proud to be an American, never more than now!
— Debbie PessesWhen I read comments such as that of Reality or Jeff Ober, I wonder if these people get some gratification out of putting other people down.
Attorneys get a “bad rap”. I know, I am an attorney. I have worked for “large for profit law firms”. Without them, the legal profession would not exist. Legal aid does not handle the complicated legal problems of the large corporations which hire millions of Americans and produce our products and are responsible for our standard of living. She did pro bono work as I did. Reality, how many homes have you saved for poor, under- educated people who were suffering from abusive sellers and lenders? How many innocent people have you kept from prison? How many people have you protected from discrimination in the work place and schools?
Do you have the moral authority to criticize?
— RichardTo Comments #4 and 11:
It’s obvious (and not surprising, really) that you cannot bring yourselves to look at the Obamas from an objective angle and without your political affiliation. Especially, comments #11 appears racially-charged! Alas.
— Sage VidorI am so very pleased to have the Obama family as our country’s first family. We are in for a treat.
— Bear#4 and #11 are just bullies. They pick on someone who is different, because they don’t feel good about themselves. They can’t handle the Obamas’ success.
— Michele in MaineTo # Reality…
Apparently you have lost a hold on all reality.
Michelle and Barack served the community BEFORE they made the big bucks. She didn’t say, be in public service forever she just said “serve.”
Sounds like someone drank a cup of envious tea this morning.
Must taste awful!
— lnwWhile it was very nice of Mrs. Obama to take time to be involved in such a lovely photo op and public relations event; and while I applaud her for doing the job that all our lovely first ladies have done before her……I learned those same values from my mother who was born in 1911. Mrs. Obama deserves credit, but she did not invent the wheel. These have always been American values.
— CCIf some consider her the best of America then we have some real problems in this country! I think the dog is ugly too.
— Vinny#11
Yes we do have some real problems in this country and Michelle Obama is probably the least of them.
— ChrisleMichelle rocks! She and Barrack have been helping others since day one…..probably their wonderful parents had a lot to do with that, and now they are passing it along, to their kids and all people that know a good role model when they see one. We should all be so lucky to have such wonderful parents.
#4 and #11 - what have you done for the greater good?
— K Simpson