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By Megan Cartwright
Associate News Editor
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Michelle Obama spoke out about husband Barack Obama's parenting "struggle" in the White House on a recent episode of her podcast.
Newsweek reached out to Barack Obama's representative for comment via email outside regular working hours.
The Context
The Obamas wed in October, 1992, and they have two children together: daughters Malia Obama, 26, and Sasha Obama, 24.
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Barack Obama, 63, served as the 44th president of the United States, and the family lived in the White House from 2009 to 2017.
What To Know
During Wednesday's episode of Michelle Obama's podcast, IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson—which she co-hosts with her older brother, Craig Robinson—the former first lady, 61, chatted with Bruce Springsteen about parent-child relationships.
Springsteen—whose nickname is "The Boss"—credited his wife, Patti Scialfa, for ensuring he had a healthy balance between working and parenting.
The iconic singer is a father to Evan, Jessica and Samuel with Scialfa, and recalled her telling him that he was "screwing it up" and would "miss" key years of their development if he didn't change his routine.
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"You lose those years, they go by so fast," Michelle Obama said. "Barack didn't struggle in the way that you did, but you know, with a busy schedule, I used to—whenever I thought he wasn't doing enough, I'd start singing: 'Cats in the cradle and the silver spoon' because that song is so profound. 'When you coming home, [dad]? Don't know when.'"
Cat's in the Cradle was a popular song in the 1970s by Harry Chapin.
"I was like, 'You're going to look up, and the girls will be gone,'" Michelle Obama remembered telling him. "Because there is a little window that parents don't understand—a time when your children even want to be bothered with you."
Springsteen added: "They're going to be gone, and they are not going to be taking you with them."
The Becoming author noted that Barack Obama "is a tremendous father" despite the "grandeur" that surrounds him. She referred to her husband having to make "important, heavy decisions" while leaving that "at the door" before sitting down at the dinner table of the White House with his daughters.
"It was important for both of us—for me and Barack—to carve out that time in those eight years when our girls were in their formative years," Michelle Obama said. "They lived longer, Malia and Sasha, in the White House than they've lived in any house. They were formed in that house and around that table in that residence, and it took a mighty effort to leave the grandeur at the door and to just be there and talk about fifth grade."
What People Are Saying
In the comments underneath the podcast on YouTube, fans praised Michelle Obama and Springsteen's conversation.
YouTube user @ronismith9883 wrote in a comment with 44 likes, including one from Michelle Obama: "Two of America's best of the best!! Thank you for this!"
@MonicaJenkins said in a note, which the attorney also liked: "Thank you both for making this show. I truly appreciate it and enjoy these episodes they enrich my life."
@mariaa5572 added: "Thanks for bringing us these positive podcast interviews."
@RheaHolms shared: "Such great advice from you both. Love this podcast."
@RunningWithOC posted: "Powerful interview! Thanks for sharing this with us."
What Happens Next
New episodes of IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson are released on Wednesdays on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
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