Michelle Obama says she SMACKED daughters before one thing changed her mind
Reflecting on motherhood, Michelle Obama, who was First Lady for eight years from 2009 to 2017, said she stopped using physical discipline after she "felt embarrassed"
Michelle Obama has opened up about how she used to smack her daughters - until she took time to reflect on her parenting.
The former First Lady, 61, stopped using physical discipline when she "felt embarrassed" about her actions, she said in a podcast. Reflecting on motherhood, Michelle, who shares daughters Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23, with Barack Obama, said: "I felt silly. It took a couple of spankings for me to be like, yeah, you know what? I don't want to do this anymore."
Striking a child is illegal in Scotland and Wales, and campaign groups have argued it should also be outlawed in England and Northern Ireland. Currently, the spanking of children is legal in all 50 states in the US.
But Michelle, herself born in Chicago, Illinois, decided against her approach after just a small number of incidences. The mother of two continued: "It took a couple of spankings for me to be like, 'yeah, you know what? I don't want to do this anymore.'"
She added: "I felt like, you know, this is a little kid. And the fact that I can't think of any better way to get my point across than to smack somebody on the butt - I felt embarrassed."
But speaking on podcast Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast, with her brother, Craig Robinson, and guests Damon and Marlon Wayans, the law graduate insisted her remarks weren't meant to judge or shame other parents.
Known for her advocacy work and candid reflections on motherhood, Michelle also addressed "new-school parenting" in the podcast. She said: "I want to be a proponent for reinstating some of the stuff that we had... When kids say, 'I hate my mom,' it's like, you better say that in your head, in your room.' You don't say that out loud... Parents are too afraid to set those kinds of boundaries. I think that's also part of the challenge that we're facing in this generation."
Michelle's comments come hours after a new study showed 90% of social workers, 75% of teachers and 51% of the police think that the law in England should be changed to end the use of physical punishment against children. It would follow the changes made in Scotland and, most recently, Wales, which made smacking illegal on March 21, 2022.
And the podcast has sparked reaction - both positive and negative - from listeners here in the UK and overseas. Many praised Michelle, who married Barack in 1992, for her honesty. One fan, also a mum, posted on social media: "I understand that feeling of frustration which can lead to spanking but it is good to reflect."
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The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Could Michelle Obama be the voice Democrats need right now?
"I feel like at 60, this is the first time where all my decisions are for me," Obama said on her June 19 episode with radio show host Angie Martinez. With her daughters Sasha and Malia launched in their own young adult lives, "this is a period of freedom." Each week, Obama and Robinson are joined by celebrities like comedians Damon and Marlon Wayans, producer Issa Rae or actress Keke Palmer - with just a glint of politics. It's her space to talk with friends. References to her husband, former President Barack Obama, or the eight years they spent raising young children in the White House are matters of fact, but the political wildfire of the second Trump administration is barely noted, except as a launching point to talk about how people are impacted by Trump's new policies. As recently as last July, an Ipsos poll revealed that only Michelle Obama stood a chance of besting Donald Trump in the presidential election. Even before leaving the White House in early 2017, a corner of the Democratic Party clamored for her to run. She has repeatedly slammed the door on that. But as Democrats search for a liberal counter to the right-wing media ecosystem that helped Trump win back the White House by reaching millions who don't pay attention to mainstream media, the online show of a relatable and popular Democrat could be what they are looking for. Regardless of what Democrats want her podcast to be, Michelle Obama has demonstrated she'll do her show her way. For now, she's using a platform that reflects the former first lady's larger, and perhaps more effective, cultural strategy that mirrors how Black women voters - part of the party's loyalist base - are coping after former Vice President Kamala Harris' loss in the 2024 election, said Democratic strategist Nina Smith. "So this is the best way that she can create space and show the multi-dimensional nature of Black women: our thinking; how we engage friends; how we engage with people across racial lines; how we engage with our siblings; and the fullness of us, while also allowing her to speak to the issues of the moment," Smith said. IMO (short for "in my opinion"), is largely devoid of juicy gossip, let alone talk about any current or former White House occupants. The Father's Day episode, which featured Bruce Springsteen and watched by roughly 216,000 viewers on YouTube, came just days after Trump berated the rock music icon for calling the administration "corrupt, incompetent and treasonous." While Trump's name never came up, they both chuckled when Michelle Obama made a joke about some people being president who need therapy. Instead, they talked about going to therapy, building relationships with absentee parents and being present for their children during formative years "I realized that parenting is pennies in the bank," Springsteen said. "It's that time when you were working and you didn't want to stop, but you did. That made a huge difference to me. I always felt that if I had failed with my kids I would have failed tremendously at life." More: Pop stars, massive crowds and history: How the Obama and Harris campaigns compare Michelle Obama responded with a story from her childhood about what it meant when her father, who worked long hours as a city worker in Chicago, turned his full attention to her and her brother. "When he was present he was present in very small but meaningful ways," she said. 'She hates politics' Michelle Obama, a corporate lawyer specializing in marketing and intellectual property law, was carried into the national spotlight when a skinny senator with a Muslim middle name beat the old guards in both parties with a message of a new America founded upon hope. For most of that time she had to be more mindful of her husband's agenda and image. Since Trump took office, she's been openly critical of him, but on her terms, such as at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in her hometown of Chicago, rather than on her podcast. Speaking up and what she considers the right moment will likely continue, said Democratic strategist Lynda Tran. "I would not be surprised to see her using her voice to rally Democrats in the future assuming the appropriate venues and strategic value. And I would expect an overwhelmingly positive response from Democrats when she does," Tran, who worked in the Obama administration, told USA TODAY. But her participation in politics might be through raising money and giving speeches, rather than a central role in the party's future. Her focus in the last few years has been on outside projects, her family and now the new podcast she co-hosts with her brother. Demands to do more from either Barack or Michelle Obama are often met with scoffs by longtime supporters, such as Natalie Graves, a clinical social worker who was at Chicago's Grant Park when the couple took the victory stage in November 2008. More: Obama warns Trump administration has 'weak commitment' to democracy in Connecticut speech "My first response is an eye roll," Graves, a 55-year-old registered Democrat, said of ongoing efforts to recruit the former first lady to run for president. "If a person says that they don't want to run, what are we talking about? They're ignoring the fact that she has made it very clear that she hates politics." 'Served their time' The former first lady firmly shut the door on running for president in March, saying her daughters, who are both in their 20s, had "served their time" in the limelight and should get to be private young adults. "I wanted them to have the freedom of not having the eyes of the world on them. So when people ask me would I ever run, the answer is no," Obama said on Kyle Kelcie's "Not Gonna Lie" podcast. "If you ask me that, then you have absolutely no idea the sacrifice your kids make when your parents are in that role." Democrats are casting about for trusted voices to better connect with different voters and help create a left-wing media ecosystem to match that of the right. Some liberal strategists are asking donors to contribute to finding voices and influencers on the left to counter people like Steve Bannon and Joe Rogan who helped propel Trump to office, the New York Times reported last month. Democrats statistically have more trust in mainstream media than Republicans, said Texas Christian University political science professor Adam Schiffer. The Democratic brain trust is asking "who is the Democratic Joe Rogan?" he said, but "it's not necessarily clear that there could be one because Democrats don't necessarily find that gratifying and entertaining." More: Town halls, f-bombs and Elon Musk: How Democrats are waging a new messaging war Younger people have a radically different media consumption than their parents, Schiffer said, and it "could become a critical problem for Democrats" if they don't figure out how to get in front of them. No matter how popular, a former first lady in her sixties might not be the best emissary to young people, he said. Influencers played a large role in Harris' abridged presidential campaign last summer and fall, but they couldn't compete with a Republican online juggernaut that has been building for over a decade. And not everyone is an "IMO" fan. Some are calling out the former first lady's complaints about living in the White House. For example, former Fox News host Megyn Kelly mocked the podcast in a June 26 video posted to X, later saying Michelle Obama was "trashing her children and husband again." When Michelle Obama does talk about politics in her podcast, it mostly orbits around the future for Americans in her daughters' generation and how political decisions impact ordinary people. She's often echoing the kind of kitchen table politicking that only voters in swing states get to hear about every four years from presidential candidates. "I'm talking to so many young people who are deathly afraid of their futures in this climate," she said in the May 21 episode. "They're not just worried about jobs, they're worried about being able to become the next entrepreneur, they're wondering whether, you know, they'll have healthcare and housing [and] whether they'll be able to pay off their student loans." In that episode, Obama and her brother spoke with Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky about the future of businesses under the Trump' administration's new tariffs. They talked about how the taxes on goods brought into the country are being passed on to consumers and hindering the ability of younger Americans trying to make it to reach their goals in the current economy. More: Will TikTok be banned? Donald Trump says he has a 'warm spot' for app as it faces January deadline "I mean, some people can hold on, but other people are not only losing their businesses, but they're losing their homes in the process," she said. "It's kind of scary." Michelle Obama did use the podcast to defend her decision not to attend Trump's January inauguration, which sparked rounds of criticism and speculation about her marriage. She insisted she was simply "making the choice that was right" for her. "Whatever the backlash was, I had to sit in it and own it. But I didn't regret it, you know? It's my life now, and I can say that, now," the mom of two said on a June 26 NPR podcast. Dems in a ditch Michelle Obama's show also arrives at a time when the Democratic brand remains in the ditch with progressive voters. About one-third of Democrats said they are optimistic about their party's future, a May poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found. Though several Democrats are starting to make moves toward 2028, liberals have struggled with the lack of a main character to match Trump's political moxie the way then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi did in his first term. Lately, Democratic officeholders have clashed with federal agents at press conferences, immigration hearings and ICE facilities, creating viral moments that have been cheered by mainstream and more left-leaning progressives. More: Vance defends using military to quell protests, refers to Sen. Alex Padilla as 'Jose' Such actions have never been in either of the Obamas' style, and some Black political activists and artists have been emphasizing the need for "self-care" over political action in the aftermath of the 2024 election. "It's important for her to stay within the public space, so it's good that she wants to be active. She endorses candidates and stuff of that nature. I have no problem with that," said Steven Uzoukwu, a 33, a cybersecurity analyst from Baltimore, Maryland. "I just think we shouldn't rely on the Obamas to save America."
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Megyn Kelly parodies Michelle Obama as she hits out at former first lady for 'never having a positive word to say'
Megyn Kelly has hit out at Michelle Obama with claims she 'never has a positive word to say' as the former first lady ventures further into the podcast circuit. With her years in the White House behind her, Michelle has revealed a new side to herself by pivoting into the podcast game with a show co-hosted alongside her brother, Craig Robinson - but Megyn is yet to be impressed. While speaking with the hosts of the Ruthless podcast, Megyn shared a clip of herself and Daily Mail columnist Maureen Callahan spoofing a series of Michelle's 'constantly negative' comments. Before showcasing the clip, the journalist joked that she's been getting into the 'parody business,' with 'targets' including Meghan Markle, the women who participated in the Blue Origin space flight, and now the former Democratic first lady. 'Michelle - she should change her name to Misery Obama. That's really what I think of when I [think of her]. Misery Obama never has a positive word to say. Never. Not about children, not about family, certainly not about her husband,' Megyn said, before mimicking some of Michelle's most talked-about comments. In a skit, the conservative commentator played a character named 'Megyn O,' and took aim at Michelle's comments about how expensive it is to live in the White House. 'We made it through. We got out alive. But what happened to me? What happened to me?' Megyn O joked. Megyn said her new nickname for the former first lady was 'Misery Obama' because of her comments on living in the White House and being a wife 'No one talks about it,' Maureen responded, pretending to be 'Megyn O's' sister in an attempt to impersonate Michelle's brother Craig. The two also poked fun at Michelle for remarks she made detailing the difficulties of having kids and marriage. 'We had so much fun doing this,' Megyn told podcast hosts Josh Holmes, Michael Duncan, and Josh Ashbrook. 'Basically - we're doing the things that Saturday Night Live should do. We're targeting the people who should be subjected to scorn and ridicule, but the left won't touch it because they're too revered,' she added. 'We've been having such a good time just saying what's obvious,' Megyn said. Megyn also took aim at Michelle's shocking comments about Barack on a recent episode of IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson. When asked if she had ever wanted a son, Michelle revealed, 'I'm so glad I didn't have a boy, because he would've been a Barack Obama.' Her guest contested that a 'baby Barack' would be 'amazing,' but Michelle quickly disagreed, 'No, I would have felt for him.' Craig then cut in and joked, 'She just borrowed our boys,' referencing Michelle's nephews. Megyn has been a longtime critic of the Obamas and has frequently gone after the former first lady on her podcast. She previously blasted Michelle for comments she made about the harsh realities of marriage. During an episode of IMO, Michelle opened up about the struggles she had in her marriage, revealing that she had a 'bad decade' with Barack. 'I tell people - and folks think this is harsh - it's, like "You're gonna have a bad decade,"' Michelle said. 'I mean, I've been married to my husband for 30-plus years... If the odds were you're going to be married to your partner for 50 years and 10 of those years could be bad, you'd sign up for it. You know, and that's really how it works out.' Megyn referenced the clip on one of her episodes in April, staunchly disagreeing with Michelle's take. She explained that during her 17-year marriage with Douglas Brunt, 'not one was bad.' Michelle's latest attempt to tame the rumor mill has only further fueled speculation that her marriage to Barack is on the rocks. The former first lady addressed the swirling divorce rumors head on in an interview with Rachel Martin, host of NPR's Wild Card podcast, released Thursday. But instead of dismissing the rumors altogether, Michelle deflected and instead left fans wondering if the famous couple really do have something to hide. 'The fact that people don't see me going out on a date with my husband sparks rumors of the end of our marriage,' she told Martin, who jokingly claimed the behavior was the 'apocalypse'. 'It's the apocalypse,' Michelle, 61, echoed, before offering up a rather lackluster excuse: 'We don't take selfies.' 'It's like, "OK, so we don't Instagram every minute of our lives." We are 60. We're 60, y'all. You just are not gonna know what we're doing every minute of the day.' Rumors that the couple's 33-year marriage had unraveled began circulating after Michelle was noticeably absent from several high-profile events earlier this year; including the presidential inauguration and funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. They were further exacerbated last week when Michelle was spotted having lunch with her daughters and another, somewhat surprising companion at an exclusive beach club in Mallorca. Barack, however, was noticeably absent.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Michelle Obama compares Barack divorce rumors to 'apocalypse'
In her new chapter, the "IMO" podcast cohost has emerged more outspoken than ever, telling Martin that "even in this phase in our lives, when Barack and I say something right or wrong, it does get covered (by news outlets)." She added: "You know, the fact that people don't see me going out on a date with my husband sparks rumors of the end of our marriage," before Martin chimed in and quipped that "it's like the apocalypse!" Then, Obama agreed that the response is like "the apocalypse." Michelle Obama hits back at divorce rumors that start when she makes 'a choice for myself' "It's like, OK, so we don't Instagram every minute of our lives," the mom of two said. "We are 60. We're 60 y'all. ... You just are not gonna know what we're doing every minute of the day, you know?" During an April episode of her "IMO With Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson" podcast, which she cohosts with her brother Craig Robinson, Obama addressed her choice to skip President Donald Trump's second inauguration ceremony. Michelle Obama says 'everyone would know' if she divorced Barack Obama: 'I'm not a martyr' "My decision to skip the inauguration - or my decision to make choices at the beginning of this year that suited me - were met with such ridicule and criticism," Obama explained during the episode. "People couldn't believe that I was saying no for any other reason. They had to assume that my marriage was falling apart." Michelle Obama repeatedly slams divorce rumors The Obamas sparked online divorce speculation after her husband appeared solo at the January affair, but she pushed back on critics of her choice. "I'm here really trying to own my life and intentionally practice making the choice that was right for me, and it took everything in my power to not do the thing that 'was right,' or was perceived as right, but do the things that was right for me," she added on "IMO." But Obama stressed, once again, to Martin on the June 26 episode that her decision was the right choice for her. Michelle Obama reveals daughter Malia Obama's name change "One of the major decisions I made this year (was) to stay put and not attend funerals and inaugurations and all the things that I'm supposed to. That was a part of me using my ambition to say, "Let me define what I want to do, apart from what I'm supposed to do, what the world expects of me," the "Becoming" author told the NPR host. "And I had, I have to own that. Those are my choices," she continued. "Whatever the backlash was, I had to sit in it and own it. But I didn't regret it, you know? It's my life now, and I can say that, now. But we'll see there. Maybe next year we sit down, I'll go, "You know, Rachel, I went a little too far."
