‘I Didn’t Want to Do It’: Michelle Obama Reveals Parenting Disagreement with Barack Obama While Raising Daughters
A sentimental parenting decision placed the former first lady against her husband and that is how challenging it can be to raise children.
During podcast episode IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson on June 25, 2025, Michelle Obama has described how a baby sleep-training argument challenged her patience as a parent.
Together with the psychologist Jonathan Haidt, she talked about the point at which she allowed her husband, Barack Obama, to make a resolution that she originally objected against.
Jonathan started off by reminiscing upon his decision on how he and his wife decided to ferberise their new born son – which was a method by Richard Ferber where a baby is left to cry predetermined amounts, and then will be soothed to enable them to sleep all night. Every parent does not go that way but Michelle told me, “we did the same thing.”
When Jonathan pushed to know the time it took before her daughters got used to it she said, “Well, I did not want to do it, right? Barack did and I do not know that I could have done it because I am not sure about it. The idea that you simply go out and leave the little person who you love most to cry cry cry.”
She continued by saying that the cries of her baby were too much to take and due to that emotional problem the couple settled that Barack work at night whist she slept. Michelle said she would still have to cover her ears so that she would not hear literally the crying.
Luckily it did not take too long to train the sleep. It did not run more than a week, said Michelle. And it was actually not until the first two nights that I, you know because we began early.
Jonathan then inquired how many years old her child was at that moment and it was never mentioned whether he was referring to Malia or Sasha Obama.
It was during the time when we eliminated breast feeding, four months, five months. that was quite early. Such is, then, how she learned quickly, she told me. The faster the action starts to be practiced the sooner the child is prompt.
The psychologist conceded and further explained on the crux of the approach and how it is normal to wake up in the middle of the night when undergoing the sleep pattern of most mammals. He highlighted the fact that the infant should learn to sleep to himself instead of relying on external comforts such as breastfeeding or being cuddled.
Obamas got married in 1992 and brought up their daughters along with fulfilling heavy careers and duties to people. Future podcasts present more of Michelle pondering over the emotional facts of motherhood.
In one of the videos on Instagram shared on June 19, she spoke on the issue of emotional intensity of parenting which does not go away.
Angie Martinez, a radio host that she hosted in that episode remembered her waking up and checking the breathing of her little son many times when he slept and how traumatizing it was.
Having discovered that the perpetual worry was not going to stop, she commented, oh my gosh, this never stops. […] I have somebody to worry about like always.” In response to this Michelle responded, Forever and ever. Amen. You know, as I say. However old I do not care.”
She admitted that the burden of such responsibility was heavy, but in fact it just passes generation to generation. It Ain’t a pleasure to parent, know what I mean. […] You got to be tough,” said the former First Lady.
In another of the episodes that were posted on May 14, Michelle stressed on how imperative it is to let the children make mistakes. No one thinks that it is the most difficult to do. So that you can see your children run into a wall you had known them to be there.”
However, she feels that protecting children against punishment denies them important development. They must learn that you can have a collision in the head, you can find the solution. Visit the physician, apply some ice. Don not do it again,” she told me.
Moreover, Michelle emphasized the necessity of parents to give children more independence with time and referred to it as a continuous act to provide them with longer leashes and thus maintaining a close distance to be able to reach them once they fall off.
Meanwhile, she pointedly stressed that her daughters must never doubt that they are free to seek assistance when they need it, particularly, in the severe situations. They would also be confident that they could never be judged or doubted since their efforts and intentions were already clear.
